Milkweeds are a vital part of the monarch story. Monarchs lay their eggs on the milkweed plants and their larvae (caterpillars) feed exclusively on these plants. Here in eastern Ontario, the two common milkweed flowers are Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). In other parts of North America, different species of milkweeds grow. All are used by Monarchs. In our area, the Common Milkweed is the one most favoured.

Common milkweeds (A. syriaca) are early succession plants, growing best in disturbed ground. As succession progresses, other plants will appear and eventually the milkweeds will vanish. Maintaining a milkweed patch will take some maintenance.

Information on propagating milkweeds can be found here: http://www.monarchwatch.org/milkweed/prop.htm

Monarch Waystation Project