Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - April 22, 2015
From: Rosanky, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources, Butterfly Gardens, Herbs/Forbs
Title: sources of milkweed in Bastrop, Texas
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
Where can I buy milkweed in Bastrop County? Can I plant in containers in garden soil? ThanksANSWER:
There has been a rush to plant milkweed as host plants for Monarch caterpillars. Consequently, the supply of suitable milkweed species has been exhausted at many commercial growers. This is aggrevated by the difficulty in obtaining milkweed seeds. The only milkweed now available in many nurseries is Asclepias curassavica, Tropical milkweed, whose seeds are easy to obtain. Some scientists believe that this species can do more harm than good for Monarchs because it continues to bloom well into fall, encouraging Monarchs to lag behind rather than migrate south. If you can find Tropical milkweed, it would be advisable to cut back the vegetative portions in early fall. Or you could plant the milkweed in a pot and move the pot indoors.
I have recently seen Tropical milkweed for sale in Austin nurseries, such as Barton Springs Nursery. If you are lucky you might find Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed), a much more desirable native milkweed. Check in Bastrop nurseries or other local nurseries. They will be increasing their stock as rapidly as possible.
More Butterfly Gardens Questions
Butterfly and Hummingbird Attracting Plants for CT
April 15, 2015 - Could you please give me a list of flowers that would attract butterflies and hummingbirds? I live in Darien, Connecticut and would love to make a butterfly garden.
view the full question and answer
Butterfly plants for Austin
May 21, 2008 - Hummingbirds come to our Mexican honeysuckle early in the spring, and then come late in the summer when the Turk's caps bloom. We have rocky soil, and a fairly shady garden. What could we plant that ...
view the full question and answer
Maintenance of milkweed from Austin
September 12, 2013 - I help plant and maintain a Monarch Waystation Garden in San Leanna, Texas (South Austin). Should milkweed plants be cut back during the winter? Last year we cut them back a bit late and some died c...
view the full question and answer
Hedge shrubs that attract butterflies & birds in Virginia
June 13, 2014 - Hi - I need recommendations for north VA hedge shrubs that attract butterflies and birds. Thanks
view the full question and answer
Early nectar blooms for Monarch butterflies from Austin
May 04, 2014 - Could you tell me any early spring blooming nectar plants that monarchs will nectar from. I'm specifically looking for bloom times in March and early April.
I have plenty of May blooms but not ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |