Bring Back the Butteflies

our
story

why
milkweed

available
species

in
the
works

Our Story

one butterfly at a time

These beautiful pollinators need our help! Throughout the country, the removal of hedgerows and open space has contributed to the decline in habitat for both butterflies and the host plants they need to survive – specifically Butterfly Weed.

To combat this decline, we have worked with local seed suppliers to produce vibrant plants of native Asclepias. Each species has its place (both within the landscape and throughout the United States) and helps supports an expansive variety of pollinators.

We started this brand to both raise awareness of the perils facing the butterfly population of the United States as well as help re-create the habitat they so desperately need.

Why Milkweed?

People talk a lot about Milkweed, but why is it so important?

Imagine yourself walking through the supermarket. As you stroll through the aisles, you see tons of things you can eat, but you walk past 90% of the items because you’re looking for the select few items on the list that you truly want – the items that you want to eat more than anything else. The twenty items you buy are the lifeblood for you and your family, whereas the thousands of items you have passed by could sustain you, but they will not bring the happiness nor health of the food you have chosen. Now imagine that same grocery store, but this time your twenty items are gone. You are left to purchase only from the selection of items that you would rather not buy.

This is what faces the butterflies of the United States. Many species of butterfly have lost an overwhelming majority of their preferred food source: Milkweed. What’s worse is this amazing group of native plants is so much more than just nectar for the adult butterflies. To put it into perspective, imagine that what Milkweed is to butterflies would be much like baby food, Sunday dinner, and the roof over your head . . . all wrapped into one!

The life cycle of a butterfly is a brilliantly beautiful process that relies on a few key ingredients at the right time. The eggs need a safe place to stay; not just any place will do, though. When hatched, the larva stage begins and they must be in a location where they can begin to eat immediately. Once they have eaten their fill, the chrysalis must be on a plant that allows it to blend in an be safe from predators. When the adults emerge, they need nectar to feed upon to gain the strength needed to start the process again. For a species like the Monarch that migrates hundreds of miles in its short lifetime, the availability of Milkweed throughout their journey is positively vital to their survival.

There’s more to the story, though. Not only does Milkweed provide shelter and food to hundreds of species of butterflies, these amazing plants are beneficial to countless pollinators throughout the country. It’s not uncommon to see critters of many types feeding on the flowers and leaves of Milkweed. The population of these pollinators is vital to our food supply. Despite it being deemed a “weed”, these incredible plants play a major role in balancing our delicate ecosystem. And this plant is struggling to survive!

Available Species

Each plays their part in both beautifying our landsacpe and saving our ecosystem

Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)

Found throughout eastern Canada and nearly every state in the continental U.S., A. incarnata is among the showiest of all Milkweed. It bears clusters of pink flowers (sometimes mauve and on rare occasion white) atop slender bright green foliage. It grows best in full sun with average to moist soils (as the common name “Swamp” would imply), but it performs surprisingly well in slightly dryer spots. Reaches 3-5’ tall.

Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed)

Native to the entire U.S. and Canada (east of the Rockies and north of Florida), Common Milkweed is most abundant of all native species, and for good reason. It serves as the preferred host for the Monarch Butterfly. Years ago, it flourished along roadsides and hedgerows throughout the continent, but the slow destruction of these habitats has made this once-flourishing species decline in rapid numbers. Bearing rounded clusters of soft pink/mauve flowers on stalks of large rounded leaves, it still gives a show that works well in naturalized areas as well as back borders where you can take advantage of its 3-5’ height and its tendency to reseed into clumps.

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)

Growing in areas stretched from the Hudson Bay clear south to Mexico, A. tuberosa not only produces vibrant orange flower clusters, but it also is a preferred host to countless species of butterflies and pollinators. It grows best in well-drained soils with full sun and thrives in poor soils. Averaging around 18-24” tall and wide, it’s much smaller than most species of Milkweed, giving it many more uses in the landscape (even small spaces). Use this in groups or borders in areas where care is infrequent and you can enjoy the symphony of Butterflies that come to feed upon it every year.

Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed)

A. verticillata is mostly unknown to many gardeners, so you may be surprised to hear that it is native to all areas in North America east of the Rockies. This species stands out for several reasons. First, its flowers are white with green centers. Second, its leaves are long and very narrow, almost like the needles of a pine tree. Third, and possibly most interesting, it can survive (and even flourish) in areas of partial shade – whereas most all other species of Milkweed need full sun to produce ample flowers. Topping out around two feet tall, it can also fit into spaces that many of the larger species cannot.

In the Works

We are currently attempting to source reliable and consistent seed sources for a few more important Milkweed species

one butterfly at a time

everyone

can play their part