Monarch on
milkweedFROM LEFT: KEVIN COLLISON; IRIN-K; ALAN OLANDER/ALL SHUTTERSTOCK
Q What milkweeds
have long-lasting
blooms and can be
grown in the Midwest?
Jennifer Broadstreet Hess
MARION, KANSASMelinda: Monarchs need milkweed
plants to reproduce, and common
milkweed is their favorite. Its
flowers are fragrant, but the plants
are very aggressive and require
attention to keep them contained.
Swamp milkweed, also known as red
milkweed, tolerates moist to wet as
well as average soils. It grows about
3 to 5 feet tall and has fragrant pink
flowers in early-to-mid summer. The
popular orange-flowering butterfly
weed tolerates hot, dry weather
and thrives in well-draining soil. It
also is less aggressive than common
milkweed and blooms for months!
All three are native to the Midwest
and are good choices for you and
the monarchs.