Milkweed are paying big dividends.

[LIcenter]

This is my third year growing milkweed for the monarchs. To my surprise this is the first year getting first generation monarchs in my gardens. Usually they show up around the second week of August. So to say I'm excited is quite the understatement.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I've seen fewer Monarch numbers so far in my native garden. It could be my lack of Meadow Blazing Star this year. Last year, they were all over it. It didn't make it through winter. A couple days ago, I did have two females laying eggs all over my butterflyweed.

 

[MoonShadows]

I grew a lot of zinnias and cosmos in our backyard this season and had a lot of visiting monarchs. Next season I plan to plant milkweed. I was looking at this milkweed collection at https://www.myseedneeds.com/collections/milkweed/products/milkweed. Anyone ever use this company?

 

[LIcenter]

Here's a site where you can find which ones are local to your area. Click on the 'locate milkweed' tab, then click on your state. You'll have better luck growing what's local to your area. The one exception that I grow here on LI is Tropical milkweed. It's a fast grower and the cats love it. Once you grow it you will have seeds forever.

http://www.growmilkweedplants.com/

 

[MoonShadows]

Thanks for that info, @LIcenter

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Anyone ever use this company?

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I haven't. I've gotten milkweed seeds from Botanical Interests and Prairie Moon Nursery.