Milkweed Plants
Milkweed plants are the only host plant for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar.
The population of Monarchs is in decline. Many farmers in our area and through the midwest are setting land aside for prairie areas.
Below are 12 species of milkweed that native wildflowers to the state of Wisconsin and can be planted in home gardens as well.
12 Native Milkweed Plants In WI
1.) Common Milkweed
Common milkweed is easy to grow, requires little maintenance, and thrives in zones 3-9, Will add beautiful pink and lilac blooms to any garden.
| Common Name: | Common Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Asclepias syriaca |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Grows well in any type of soil |
| Height: | 4 -6 feet |
| Bloom Time: | June – August |
2.) Butterfly Milkweed
2′ to 3′ tall native perennial with clusters of bright orange flowers suitable for planting in zones 3-9.
| Common Name: | Butterfly Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. tuberosa |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Well-drained soil |
| Height: | 2 – 3 feet |
| Bloom Time: | June – August |
3.) Clasping Leaf Milkweed
Clasping Leaf Milkweed blooms in most Eastern U.S. states in areas like open fields, roadsides, and open woodland areas with full sunlight. The plant blooms in pinks, greens, and purples.
| Common Name: | Clasping Leaf Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. amplexicaulis |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Loves sandy soil |
| Height: | 3 – 4 feet |
| Bloom Time: | May – August |
4.) Poke Milkweed
Poke milkweed is a tall variety of milkweed that is found growing along woodland opens in rich soil with filtered light. The plant flowers are general a creamy white but can have in shades of purple or green to the white flowers.
| Common Name: | Poke Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. exaltata |
| Sun: | Part to Full Sun |
| Soil: | Rich soil |
| Height: | 2 – 6 feet |
| Bloom Time: | July – August |
5.) Tall Green Milkweed
| Common Name: | Tall Green Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. hirtella |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Well Drained Soil |
| Height: | 2 -4 feet tall |
| Bloom Time: | June – August |
6.) Green Flowered Milkweed
| Common Name: | Green Flowered Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. viridiflora |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Dry soil |
| Height: | 12 – 32 inches |
| Bloom Time: | July |
7.) Prairie Milkweed
| Common Name: | Prairie Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. sullivantii |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Well Drained |
| Height: | 2 – 4 feet tall |
| Bloom Time: | June – August |
8.) Oval Leaf Milkweed
| Common Name: | Oval Leaf Milkweed (Dwarf) |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. ovalifolia |
| Sun: | Part to Full Sun |
| Soil: | Sandy |
| Height: | 10 to 24 inches |
| Bloom Time: | June – August |
9.) Woolly Milkweed
Woolly milkweed is a threatened native milkweed plant in the state of Wisconsin and can be found in dry rocky hillsides.
| Common Name: | Woolly Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. lanuginosa |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Dry Well Drained |
| Height: | 10-12 inches |
| Bloom Time: | June – July |
10.) Whorled Milkweed
| Common Name: | Whorled Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. verticillata |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Fine soil |
| Height: | 1-3 feet tall |
| Bloom Time: | May – September |
11.) Purple Milkweed
The purple milkweed is a late spring, early summer bloomer producing rich red-purple color flowers compared to the soft gray-pink of Common Milkweed.
| Common Name: | Purple Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | A. purpurescens |
| Sun: | Particle to Full Sun |
| Soil: | Drained |
| Height: | 2-3 feet tall |
| Bloom Time: | June-July |
12.) Swamp Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed is shrub-like plant that is native to marshy, wet areas. The milkweed is less milky than that of other species in the milkweed family. The plant breaks through the soil in spring, but you will not see flowers until summer.
| Common Name: | Swamp Milkweed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Asclepias Incarnata |
| Sun: | Full Sun |
| Soil: | Very moist to Wet |
| Height: | Almost 60 inches tall |
| Bloom Time: | June – August |
| Bloom Color: | Beautiful pink and purple flowers |
Besides purchasing, seed, you can collect a milkweed seed pod from milkweed plants in the wild to plant in your own gardens. Milkweed is vital to the monarch butterfly lifecycle. Butterflies like black swallowtails, silver-spotted skippers, milkweed tussock caterpillars, and milkweed bugs. also, use the plant for a food source.
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