Some Important Facts:
- Showy Milkweed has large and fleshy leaves and is a perfect Monarch caterpillar food source. The best Milkweed Plant to grow in the Western US.
- Showy Milkweed is perennial. The milkweed plants will turn yellow in Fall (October/November), lose their leaves, and eventually disappear. However, the plant is not dead! The roots are alive and will produce new shoots in Spring. Over time, the roots will spread out more and create new plants feet away from the vicinity of the actual planting. Therefore the term ‘weed.’
- Showy Milkweed grows slowly. You will see the plants bloom and generate seed pods after normally three years. So patience in establishing your Monarch Butterfly Garden is necessary.
- Milkweed is the only type of plant on which the Monarch Butterflies lay their eggs, and the larvae feeds off the leaves to mature into a chrysalis. When the milkweed plants are still young and small, it is essential to have them fairly close together for the caterpillars to find enough food. Plant them in a cluster, so the caterpillar can move from stem to stem.
- Showy milkweed is also the nectar plant for Queen and Viceroy Butterflies. Showy Milkweed will grow up to 6 feet tall with beautiful yellow/pink flowers in summer. It is deer resistant.