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Gardening

ginnyinWI

(17,276 posts)

14. Milkweed and Bee Balm

Reply to Flaxbee (Original post)

Fri Jan 18, 2013, 12:04 AM

Jan 2013

Both are perennials here in Wisconsin so they should do well where you are. Actually milkweed is more of a prairie plant and I have to keep pulling it out so it won't take over. But the butterflies love it. I had to smile at the idea of someone buying a plant.

Bee balm has pretty red or fuschia flowers that are also loved by hummingbirds. Grows about 2 ft. tall and smells very nice. Comes up every year and takes care of itself.

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I'd like to create a bee/butterfly/hummingbird-friendly garden this spring ... but I am a complete [View all] Flaxbee Jan 2013 OP

Your state, like most states, has a Master Gardener program The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #1

+1 for the Master Gardners! Scuba Jan 2013 #3

thanks. I'm not 20 miles from our state arboretum, but I just have no spare time to Flaxbee Jan 2013 #5

You definitely should have a butterfly bush. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #2

Grow plants from the milkweed family (Asclepias). The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #4

OK - same question as above? Do I seek out already-grown/mature plants? Flaxbee Jan 2013 #7

thanks. Definitely will seek them out Flaxbee Jan 2013 #6

Buy a bush. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #8

good to know. Flaxbee Jan 2013 #11

You really only need one, and they grow well. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #15

I usually buy plants rather than seeds. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #9

Because of where you live kurtzapril4 Jan 2013 #10

thanks very much. I am a huge fan of xeriscaping (coming from Palm Springs, CA where Flaxbee Jan 2013 #12

i am trying to find time to look into a bee hotel. mopinko Jan 2013 #13

Milkweed and Bee Balm ginnyinWI Jan 2013 #14

I plant and plan butterfly/humming birds gardens for a living Botany Jan 2013 #16

what a wonderful way to make a living. Flaxbee Mar 2013 #20

Hi. bvar22 Jan 2013 #17

hey bvar22, how are things? Flaxbee Mar 2013 #21

I'm a novice too Trascoli Mar 2013 #18

Flaxbee, I grew up in West Virginia and we had several Tanuki Mar 2013 #19

under my picture window is a perennial that looks like BIG forget-me-nots grasswire Mar 2013 #22