Asclepias erosa is a species of milkweed known commonly as desert milkweed. It is native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it is most abundant in the desert regions.
Which milkweed is best for Southern California?
Asclepias fascicularis – white flowers and narrow leaves. aka Narrow-leaved milkweed. This one should be the go-to for L.A. gardeners. Asclepias vestita – creamy flowers and broad leaves.
Can you grow milkweed in Southern California?
So in the simplest terms, butterfly experts say California native milkweeds, with their pink, white and cream-colored flowers are the only milkweeds we should be planting in Southern California, because they typically go dormant around December (meaning the tops of the plants die back but the roots stay alive), and …
Do monarchs like California milkweed?
Almost always, more milkweed plants means more Monarch butterflies. … 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. In Southern California another milkweed also grows well, and it has been here for thousands of years.Is milkweed invasive in California?
If you’re lucky enough to have naturally moist garden soil here in droughty California, showy milkweed can be almost invasive, sending out aggressive creeping roots that can easily crowd out other garden plants.
What's the difference between native and tropical milkweed?
Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a non-native milkweed that has exploded in popularity in response to the demand for milkweed. … When native milkweeds die back after blooming, the parasite dies along with them so that each summer’s monarch population feeds on fresh, parasite-free foliage.
What milkweed is native to San Diego?
The five main San Diego native milkweeds are narrow leaf milkweed, Indian milkweed, California milkweed, rush milkweed and desert milkweed. San Diego native plant nurseries sell them, or you can grow natives from seeds purchased online or locally.
Why is milkweed illegal?
Milkweed does contain toxins that can be harmful to pets, livestock and people. The milky sap for which it gets its name leaks out from the stem or leaves. This sap contains toxins called cardiac glycosides or cardenolides, which are toxic to animals if consumed in large quantities.Can I plant milkweed in California?
We recommend planting native milkweeds only. California is home to 15 species of milkweed. Two of these species, showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) and narrow-leaved milkweed (A. … We strongly recommend against planting nonnative milkweeds, including tropical milkweed (A. curassavica); see box for more information.
Which milkweed plant do monarchs prefer?Three species have particularly wide ranges and are good choices in most regions: common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (A. incarnata), and butterflyweed (A. tuberosa).
Article first time published onIs Asclepias tuberosa native to California?
Asclepias tuberosa, a dicot, is a shrub that is not native to California.
When should I plant milkweed seeds in Southern California?
Growing Instructions: Start California Milkweed seeds outdoors in late November. Pick a location with full sun and prepare soil for good drainage, if needed. Plant seeds 1/8″ deep and 18” apart, using 3 seeds per hole. Water once, and then allow the winter rain and/or snow to provide moisture until the spring.
Where do Monarchs overwinter in California?
Monarchs living west of the Rocky Mountain range in North America overwinter in California along the Pacific coast near Santa Cruz and San Diego. Here microclimatic conditions are very similar to that in central Mexico. Monarchs roost in eucalyptus, Monterey pines, and Monterey cypresses in California.
Where should you not plant milkweed?
For these reasons, the Xerces Society does not recommend planting milkweed (non-native or native) close to overwintering sites (within 5-10 miles of the coast) in Central and Northern coastal California where it did not occur historically (see State of the Overwintering Sites Report for additional information).
Are monarch butterflies native to California?
The Rocky Mountains geographically separate North American monarch butterflies into eastern and western populations. … From early spring through the end of fall, monarchs breed continuously throughout their western range in California, Nevada, Arizona, and parts of Oregon and Washington.
Should I plant milkweed in my yard?
So the rule is: If you live along the California coast, plant nectar plants to support the monarchs migrating to and from overwintering sites; do not plant milkweed. It is best not to plant milkweed within 10 miles of an overwintering site.
Should I plant milkweed in San Diego?
Remember that milkweed is deciduous so the plant may die back over winter but under the soil it is still alive and will regenerate in the spring. Don’t forget to water! 5. Plant outside in the spring after threat of frost has passed, generally late March for San Diego.
Where is showy milkweed native to?
Native to the western U.S. and upper Midwest, Showy Milkweed tolerates a variety of soil types and conditions and is very drought tolerant.
Where is Asclepias tuberosa native?
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa L.) Butterfly weed grows commonly in dry open habitats and is very common in the prairies and grasslands of the Midwest and Great Plains. This beautiful native wildflower is found from Maine to South Dakota to the desert southwest to Florida.
What does native milkweed look like?
It is native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it is most abundant in the desert regions. This milkweed is a perennial herb with erect yellow-green stems and foliage in shades of pale whitish-green to dark green with white veining. It may be hairless to very fuzzy.
What milkweed is bad for monarchs?
This is the reason Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), an introduced species native to Mexico, is developing a bad reputation among monarch biologists and conservation organizations. It can delay the butterflies’ instinctual fall migration through North Texas to the point of destruction.
Why is tropical milkweed bad?
Tropical milkweed can also interfere with monarch migration and reproduction. In northern areas it grows later in the season than native species, and just the presence of tropical milkweed may confuse monarchs into breeding at a time when they should be migrating.
Do Monarch caterpillars eat narrow leaf milkweed?
Caring for your milkweed. In summer, Narrow-Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) grow fragrant white or lavender flowers that are a beautiful addition to any garden. In addition to the visual element, planting milkweed provides food for monarch caterpillars and nectar for a diverse range of pollinators.
Where is tropical milkweed native?
Native to Central America and Mexico, Tropical milkweed grows well and sometimes year round in Texas and Florida.
What happens if you touch milkweed?
All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and confusion in small amounts, and seizures, heart rhythm changes, respiratory paralysis, and even death in large amounts. Milkweed can also irritate the skin and eyes if touched.
What milkweed is not invasive?
Swamp milkweed is not invasive as some other milkweeds are and is well behaved in the garden. We have photos, more detailed information, and seeds/plants for sale at Swamp Milkweed.
Can you grow milkweed in a greenhouse?
Milkweed seedlings can be started indoors in a greenhouse or under artificial lighting and then transplanted outdoors after the average date of last frost. If seeds are started indoors, allow 4-8 weeks growing time before transplanting. Plastic flats can be used to start the seeds.
Is showy milkweed good for monarchs?
Using Showy milkweed in the Butterfly Garden Asclepias speciosa is a host plant for Monarch butterflies. … It just so happens that many types of butterflies are attracted to milkweeds because they are a great nectar source. That is why milkweeds are some of the best plants for butterfly gardens!
What does swamp milkweed look like?
Swamp milkweed’s smooth narrow leaves are lance-shaped with sharp tips and occur in pairs. Sometimes the leaf’s edges turn inward and upward suggesting the prow of a ship. The fragrant umbelled clusters of flowers range in color from soft mauve to pink to reddish-violet.
How many milkweed plants do I need?
For gardens, we recommend that you plant about 20-30 milkweed plants per 100 square feet. Milkweed plants should be spaced 1 foot apart, placed in clusters of 3-4 milkweeds.
Where can I buy milkweed plants in California?
- * Orange County. Tree of Life Nursery (San Juan Capistrano) …
- * Riverside County. Parkview Nursery (Riverside) Parkview Nursery (Arlington) Cactus Mart (Morongo Valley)
- * Los Angeles County. Theodore Payne Foundation (Sun Valley)-NATIVE MILKWEED SEEDS. …
- *Ventura County.
