Asclepias

Last week I ordered our first 6 deer resistant plants for up north.  Asclepias (milkweed) are the plant where monarch larvae mature to become butterflies. Some sources say the monarch population has decreased by 80% in the past 20 yrs, partially due to pesticide overspray that is killing asclepias.  They are not to be a cut flower (poisonous) but are very beneficial for the monarch population.  They also attract honey bees and hummingbirds use the seed pod floss to line their nests.  We’re going to try them as a naturalized plant up north.  More to come – bearded iris and coneflowers will be our next purchases.