Roll the seeds in a damp paper towel, or place them in moist peat moss, and then put them in a plastic bag. California Milkweed is native to the following state: California. Water regularly allowing the soil to go nearly dry between each watering. This product hasn't received any reviews yet. HISTORY & FOLKLORE Historically, various Native Americans throughout its range have used desert milkweed as a medicinal plant. When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves of milkweed. Common Milkweed grows well in average garden soil. There are also many non-native varieties of milkweed that grow well here in southern California. Pick a location with full sun and prepare soil for good drainage, if needed. The large, pointed, banana-like leaves are arranged opposite on the stalk-like stem. (We recommend you take this action in October, but if you have let it grow … Water once, and then allow the winter rain and/or snow to provide moisture until the spring. And this popular plant hosts many more besides monarchs. don’t plant milkweed where it didn’t naturally grow AND plant the native species) Liam tucks in another universally solid suggestion: plant nectar plants! It seems that the caterpillars pick up the parasite from eating the infected milkweed leaves. Milkweed plants, in all their various forms, are the exclusive foodplant of Monarch butterflies, so gardeners can play an important role in monarch ecology, and hopefully their recovery. Matilija Nursery Moorpark, CA. Step 2: Add soil I like to pour a heaping amount of soil mix onto the center of my seed insert and then spread it evenly with the edge of my seed packet or anything with a straight edge. Whether native or tropical, make your milkweed choice carefully and manage your plants intelligently. Perhaps most famously, milkweed species serve as the host plant for the monarch butterfly. Zone 5 Planting Schedule Zone 6 … It didn’t get much water, and grew in very hard soil, (in Southern California), so I took some branches, rooted them, grew it and am enjoying caterpillars and Monarch butterflies! But they do move around regionally, just not like the big migrations of some areas. Ours do not travel from the Northern parts of North America to Southern areas every winter and then back again the following spring. Most of the areas in which milkweed is found are frost freeze zones. The invertebrate conservation group The Xerces Society recommends native milkweed species. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterfliesespecially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed. Corona del Mar, CA 92625, Open Daily 9 AM – 8 PM Map ©: Kartesz, J.T. For decades the most common milkweed species in our gardens has been a Central American species sometimes called Tropical Milkweed, or more correctly Asclepias currassivica. Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias currasavica) has many variations, but is commonly found in red/yellow or yellow. Alternatively, you could direct sow in the fall, or winter sow the seeds. Plant seeds 1/8" deep and 18” apart, using 3 seeds per hole. 11. Some seeds do need a hard frost to germinate, but milkweed seeds do not. Fortunately, our monarch butterflies in California and other western states are far less migratory than their Eastern brethren, so the issue of effecting their migration habits does not apply as much to our region. The stems and leav… Begin by planting the local, Native milkweed to promote future years of Monarch habitat in your garden. The monarchs in California are not those that winter in Mexico or that you read about when you were in school. Flowers bloom from June to September, but may not bloom until the second year. Nonetheless, there still may be an issue. Although you can plant Milkweed in the spring after cold stratification and starting seeds indoors, fall is the easier — and more natural — time to plant. According to Theodore Payne Foundation, wait until the weather warms up in March – here are their instructions. In California it is found in the Sierras and Coast Ranges, from Tulare County to Modoc and Siskiyou Counties. Your efforts will help bring back the Monarch’s and restore their populations to healthy levels. Once established, this native plant is a breeze to grow and requires little maintenance. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) are considered the best varieties for an ornamental garden. We will remain open and will continue to follow COVID Safety Measures. Zones 2-8 Plant in the spring after the danger of frost is gone. (visit our Holiday Hours), Copyright © 2020 | Roger’s Gardens | All Rights Reserved, Monarchs and Milkweed, What Gardeners Need to Know. In northwest Florida, the milkweed species most planted has been tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, as it is lush, showy and easy to grow. It is native to California and northern Baja California from the East Bay region southward and the foothills of the Sierras. Photo by Jacoba Charles. Weather permitting, Game & Fish will plant milkweed in Cornville, Springerville and Safford in January and February. There is growing evidence within the science community that non-native milkweeds may be causing changes in monarch migration habits and increasing the prevalence of a debilitating disease among the adult butterflies. ; Swamp Milkweed, as its name implies, will do best in a moist environment, making it great for wet meadows or rain gardens. In Southern California, gardeners have milkweed choices when outdoor plant shopping. Whether to grow milkweed from seed (l), transplants, or rhizomes may depend on the species and the location. Narrowleaf milkweed is a perennial flower native to parts of the western U.S. Plant seeds during the cool season of Zones 9 and 10. The fleshy fruits of milkweed contain seeds with fluffy hairs, which aid dispersal by wind. Plant seed in fall in a sunny location. California milkweed, Asclepias californica is one of the most beautiful milkweeds in the Santa Monica Mountains. With a minimum donation of $5, you will receive a packet of milkweed seeds and planting guide to turn your garden into a sanctuary for monarchs and pollinators. Fall seed planting. Water once, and then allow the winter rain and/or snow to provide moisture until the spring. Before planting the seeds, soak them in warm water for 24 hours to ensure that moisture breaks through their hard shells and reaches their tiny embryos. It is a perennial and has thick wooly stems that are low to the ground and bending upwards. Southern California Pro-tips. We suggest all tropical milkweed be removed from your garden, but we know that some gardeners will resist this request, especially when they see larvae abundantly feeding on it. Milkweeds in the genus Asclepias provide the only plant material monarch caterpillars can eat. Roger’s Gardens no longer sells or recommends tropical milkweed. Once the seedlings reach 1", thin out so you have individual plants spaced 18” apart. They usually have three types of native milkweed beginning around March. Drought tolerant, this California native plant grows in some high desert areas and into Baja California. Monroe: Besides the basic premise of learning from nature, by doing the research, (i.e. All prices are in USD © 2020 Butterfly Encounters. Other planned sites are near Buckeye, Black Canyon City and Bullhead City. Pick a location with full sun and prepare soil for good drainage, if needed. My message is don’t baby this plant, it is a weed! Milkweed is also well known for attracting butterflies and serving as a host plant for their caterpillars. Light: Young Milkweed plants need plenty of diffuse light as they grow.Plant in full sun locations. NATIVE MILKWEED IN CALIFORNIA. When to plant milkweed. Powered by BigCommerce. About November the foliage will quickly yellow and begin to dry. In Connie Day's Santa Monica garden, a tiger-colored monarch spars with another butterfly, chasing it from a patch of milkweeds. Three or four years ago I bought a milkweed plant at a local nursery with the hope of attracting monarch butterflies. Spring seed planting. The seeds will germinate 10 - 20 days after the danger of nighttime freezing has past. Planting and Establishment. As with all species of milkweed, pinching off the blooms once they are spent, a process called “deadheading,” can greatly prolong the blooming season. My hope is that, if I can get California native milkweeds established in my garden, you should eventually be able to get the right kind of milkweed for Los Angeles via Cityscape Seeds. It is an important monarch butterfly caterpillar host plant. I generally winter sow, as that is the easiest if you are trying to get a set number of plants. Growing Instructions: Start California Milkweed seeds outdoors in late November. To grow Swamp Milkweed from seed, cold stratify in a moist paper towel in the refrigerator for 2 months, stored in a zip lock bag. Shortly after this, the entire plant is generally cut back to near the soil line to let it rest until the following spring, when it will burst out with a fresh season of growth. We supply Narrow-Leaf Milkweed Asclepias fascicularis seeds to individuals across southern California who would like to take action to help restore monarch populations. Call ahead to confirm species, quantity and verify plants have not been in contact with neonicotinoids or pesticides. Planting local milkweed species is always best. California is the center of the distributions for six milkweed species used by monarchs; A. fascicularis (Mexican whorled/narrowleaf milkweed), A. erosa (desert milkweed), A. californica (California milkweed), A. cordifo- lia (heartleaf milkweed), A. eriocarpa (woolypod milkweed) and A. vestita (woolly milkweed). The Ascelpias viridis (spider milkweed) plants will be spaced 1.5 to 2 feet apart. If you miss the window of opportunity for fall planting, winter sowing milkweed seeds is also an option. That way, the plant keeps putting out more flowers in an effort to fruit and reproduce. Using the planting schedules below will help you get the most out of your garden. If you live near overwintering sites, consider planting early spring, late-fall, and winter-blooming nectar plants instead of . In fact, many California plants do not need a frost to trigger germination, but it is on a species by species basis. 3 Toxicity to Livestock quester the plants’ chemical compounds, giving them pro-tection by making them distasteful to predators. Showy milkweed is native to much of the western half of North America. Grow Native Nursery, 2 locationsClaremont, CA & West Los Angeles, CA. Plant seeds 1/8" deep and 18” apart, using 3 seeds per hole. After stra… Planting Milkweed (Asclepias) is essential to creating a habitat for the beloved Monarch butterfly's survival, as they are the only plants on which Monarch caterpillars will feed. Growing Instructions: Start California Milkweed seeds outdoors in late November. Hummingbirds, bees, and beneficial insects love it too! This flowering plant is a hairy, erect perennial that grows to about 4 feet tall. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd. In Southern California, gardeners have milkweed choices when outdoor plant shopping.For decades the most common milkweed species in our gardens has been a Central American species sometimes called Tropical Milkweed, or more correctly Asclepias currassivica.It is a magnet for monarchs and even a single plant in a garden will soon display a few colorful caterpillars dining on its leaves. Sitemap It is a magnet for monarchs and even a single plant in a garden will soon display a few colorful caterpillars dining on its leaves. The parent butterfly will lay its egg on the underside of a milkweed leaf. 1-2 months after your seedlings have sprouted next spring, pinch off extra plants (or consider transplanting) to achieve ideal spacing for your specific milkweed. The seeds get darker as they mature. Be the first to review this product! Others have considered it toxic. The range of desert milkweed extends from western Arizona and southern Nevada, into southeastern California and Baja California, Sonora, and Sinaloa, Mexico. About California Milkweed (Asclepias californica) 3 Nurseries Carry This Plant Add to My Plant List; Asclepias californica is a species in the Apocynaceae (Dogbane) family known by the common name California milkweed. Tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, was visited by this monarch caterpillar who is now off to find a … Those plants with high concentrations of the protozoan are more likely to kill monarch caterpillars or chrysalises. It disappears completely in the winter – and that is perfect for monarchs! Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Simply sprinkle seeds on well-tilled soil and pat them down, add a topdressing of soil, and water them in. Milkweed is slender and doesn't need much room to grow so go ahead and plant many seeds! The long, oblong leaves are light green and grow to about 8 inches long. 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