It has deep purple flowers and almost white gray fuzzy foliage. To help, plant milkweed and nectar plants that are native to your area and help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects! The plentiful, hanging flowers are rounded structures with reflexed … For Los Angeles and Southern California, consider the following. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) Stored seeds scarification or hot water. The stems and lea… It is a perennial and has thick wooly stems that are low to the ground and bending upwards. California Narrow Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) is a western native species of Asclepias grown for its large white flowers and long, showy narrow leaves. It is actually not native to the US but has naturalized in zones 9-11 (possibly 8b as well) where it grows as a perennial. Native Range: Central and southern California. Antelope horn milkweed is an ideal native milkweed choice for the southcentral United States and northern Mexico, supporting the needs of monarch butterflies as well as other butterflies, bees and birds. Source: USDA Plants Database as of November 15, 2017. Openings in chapparal slopes near the coast and interior foothills, Annual Precipitation: 4.4" - 92.8", Summer Precipitation: 0.13" - 2.39", Coldest Month: 19.6" - 61.4", Hottest Month: 41.4" - 88.8", Humidity: 0.30" - 42.79", Elevation: -69" - 12692", Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. The Orioles use the dead stems for … Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) By David Taylor. It is found mostly in Southern California. Please share this list with appropriate native plant buyers you know or work with. We have 32 count 10X20 plug trays ready now! Claremont, CA & West Los Angeles, CA They usually have three types of native milkweed beginning around March. About three feet tall at best with pink and purple flowers between April and July, California milkweed fits right into wild gardens in the California chaparral country. However, this plant grows fast and easy from seed and readily flowers all summer so is used as an annual all over the US and Canada. This is not to say that gardeners in California and the coastal Southern states (or zones 8 through 11) who grow tropical milkweed should immediately rip it out — just remember to cut it back in late fall to reduce the spread of OE, promote new growth of fresh, healthy leaves, and … California native milkweed in stock! With over 140 different types of milkweed, there are milkweeds that grow well in almost every hardiness zone. milkweed, as nectar is critical for fueling monarchs during . It is a flowering perennial with thick, white, woolly stems which bend or run along the ground. It is very drought tolerant even occruing in some high desert areas. jeff says. Heart-leaf milkweed was used by the Miwok people of California for its stems, which they dried and used for cords such as strings and ropes. {�h�r�������ȘAԹ'��$D~�F�ðc��u�+f�Z��w\rm�]LM�|��L����R�E'6 �s5X�\r�$�Y�:Oq,�L��{�U���\\۳�k�)/PageUIDList<0 4896>>/PageWidthList<0 612.0>>>>>>/Resources<>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/Properties<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 150 0 obj <>stream Each region of Monarch distribution is carefully aligned with its own region’s species of milkweed. Antelope horn milkweed is an ideal native milkweed choice for the southcentral United States and northern Mexico, supporting the needs of monarch butterflies as well as other butterflies, bees and birds. They send out Asclepias Curassavica (tropical milkweed / red and yellow flowers). In California, we have 15 species of milkweed. 0 Although Monarchs have preferences of some varieties over others, there are many different species of milkweed plants that Monarch caterpillars will gladly gobble up. Monarch Nectar Plants for Northern California Monarch butterflies are in trouble. Winter care of milkweed depends on your zone and which milkweed you have. A 4' plant with large thick leaves that feed many Monarchs. There is growing evidence within the science community that non-native milkweeds may be causing changes in monarch migration habits and increasing the prevalence of a debilitating disease among the adult butterflies. It is our native milkweed, usually called Narrow-leaf Milkweed or more accurately Asclepias fascicularis. Source: USDA Plants Database as of November 15, 2017. The long, oblong leaves are light green and grow to about 8 inches long. Milkweed samples from all of the locations studied in California… At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near McNeal one day last month, 25 volunteers spent five hours planting milkweed to create waypoints for monarchs migrating to Southern California and west-central Mexico from the northern U.S. and Canada – a trip that can stretch 3,000 miles each way. California milkweed grows in lower northern California, central and southern California as well as into northern Baja California. It blooms May to July. California Narrow Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) is a western native species of Asclepias grown for its large white flowers and long, showy narrow leaves. This milkweed is a perennial herb with erect yellow-green stems and foliage in shades of pale whitish-green to dark green with white veining. 178 0 obj <>/Encrypt 147 0 R/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<02B918254FC579458B4D8E47B1474C28><1872834F9213E4438B16F0F5CEA0B64B>]/Index[146 54]/Info 145 0 R/Length 131/Prev 197750/Root 148 0 R/Size 200/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Will survive winters and a prolific seed producer. Loss of milkweed needed for monarch caterpillars to grow and develop, due to habitat conversion and adverse land management; Drought conditions in California and other areas in the western U.S., resulting in lower milkweed biomass, and reduced availability of milkweed late in the summer Asclepias fascicularis is a perennial with three foot tall stem and large (but narrow) five inch leaves, and a five inch or so flower cluster. Growing Instructions: Start California Milkweed seeds outdoors in late November. Asclepias erosa is a species of milkweed known commonly as desert milkweed. Overwintering Milkweed Plants. Most sites south of Santa Barbara and north of Santa Cruz have far fewer butterflies to see. It is our native milkweed, usually called Narrow-leaf Milkweed or more accurately Asclepias fascicularis. California Narrow Leaf Milkweed California Narrow Leaf Milkweed Asclepias fascicularis. If the milkweed was their cue for leaving, they’d be leaving much later. The genus name, Asclepias, commemorates Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine. It may be hairless to very fuzzy. It is native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it is most abundant in the desert regions. And California’s milkweeds are widely contaminated with pesticides, new data show. Milkweed Staff — 08/31/2020. Asclepias line the migration path for these butterflies as they travel back and […] An excerpt from Kazim Ali's book, Northern Light: Power, Land, and the Memory of Water, forthcoming March 2021. Please confirm species listed are native to your area before planting. Most species are tropical or arid land species. The Milkweed plant is the sole host plant for Monarch butterflies. California milkweed, or Asclepias californica, is a droughty, fuzzy-leaved milkweed that inhabits dry slopes from the Bay Area and Yosemite foothills to the South Coast. The western group lives west of the Rocky Mountains. `5��A$X7�xv�4X�;�4>v0[H2����@��@��*���P�������Yo Ѭ� Plant seeds 1/8" deep and 18” apart, using 3 seeds per hole. 146 0 obj <> endobj Easy to grow in a wide range of soils, this variety is recommended for use in the West. When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves of milkweed. These same seed packs sell all over the web for $2 - $4 per 10 seeds). It is a flowering perennial with thick, white, woolly stems which bend or run along the ground. As low as $11.99 Sale $9.59. Monarch Butterfly on Tropical Milkweed. Previous Next. This project is part of a collaborative effort to map and better understand monarch butterflies and their host plants across the Western U.S. Data compiled through this project will improve our understanding of the distribution and phenology of monarchs and milkweeds, identify important breeding areas, and help us better understand monarch conservation needs. It’s a weed that needs to be removed. There are several California native milkweeds, which are the ones we should be planting. It is a magnet for monarchs and even a single plant in a garden will soon display a few colorful caterpillars dining on its leaves. Per Plant - 2.5" Pot. As low as $11.99 Sale $9.59. It is an important monarch butterfly caterpillar host plant. The monarch butterflies spend winter along the California coast between Mendocino County and San Diego. Turns out there is strong evidence that planting milkweed (Aesclepis sp.) With deep purple flowers and white to gray fuzzy foliage this plant typically sprawls across the ground rather than growing upwards. It is very drought tolerant even occruing in some high desert areas. ... Also, we have viable tropical milkweed in our northern garden for weeks after the monarchs are gone. Asclepias californica is a species of milkweed known by the common name California milkweed. We found 64 pesticides (25 insecticides, 27 fungicides, and 11 herbicides, as well as 1 adjuvant) out of a possible 262 in our screen. About three feet tall at best with pink and purple flowers between April and July, California milkweed fits right into wild gardens in the California chaparral country. Call ahead to confirm species, quantity and verify plants have not been in contact with neonicotinoids or pesticides. Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit. The minimum award is four flats. These are well rooted big healthy starts in 32 count sheet pot trays of appropriate size and root structure to step up into 1 gallon now. Per Plant - 2.5" Pot. Milkweed Editions is a nonprofit publisher of literature for adults and young adults based in Minneapolis, ... Excerpt: Kazim Ali's Northern Light. Matilija Nursery Moorpark, CA At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near McNeal one day last month, 25 volunteers spent five hours planting milkweed to create waypoints for monarchs migrating to Southern California and west-central Mexico from the northern U.S. and Canada – a trip that can stretch 3,000 miles each way. If they never bred somewhere, making them breed is not helping them. Because tropical milkweed historically occurs in the New World tropics, it is adapted to grow year-round, whereas most native North American milkweed species die back each winter. California Narrow Leaf Milkweed California Narrow Leaf Milkweed Asclepias fascicularis. California Milkweed (Asclepias californica) California Milkweed. leaf samples from 19 sites representing different land use types across the Central Valley of California. All of these seem to have pink, pinkish, or white flowers. Its population in North America has plummeted by 90% in the last 20 years. Though many milkweed plants need only the help of Mother Nature, this article will cover winter care of milkweed. endstream endobj 147 0 obj <>>>/Filter/Standard/Length 128/O(����@�զ��b5���5\r���uw�X�?�0D�)/P -3388/R 4/StmF/StdCF/StrF/StdCF/U(����Y�֘�x��` )/V 4>> endobj 148 0 obj <�Z)/MarkInfo<>/Metadata 13 0 R/Pages 144 0 R/StructTreeRoot 24 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 149 0 obj <ׂbX'��x�y�W@�Sr��������~��L4T����6Dx)/LastModified('.����w|���I�ʬdd2����Z��s"��Q�m޴>���n��PH��z�Th��c)/NumberofPages 1/OriginalDocumentID(��j�\)9�&�. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterflies—especially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed.When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves of milkweed. Samples were taken from agriculture, wildlife refuges, and nurseries. California milkweed grows in lower northern California, central and southern California as well as into northern Baja California. These winter in California. native bees, butterflies, butterflies, hummingbirds, Tolerates sandy or clay soils. So it is best to plant a milkweed species that is native to California. h�bbd```b``� ���A$�ɪ"�7�H�`���yL� �Lˑ��`�0�:�d� �`] The minimum award is four flats. It has narrow leaves and is native to the western half of the US. Browse our selection of bulk milkweed seeds for sale to find the right seeds to plant in your garden! �¨B�J���e) "�켕YM��b޷ܧ��k#9z�������a���u�0�����Y��[*W+����a��F���a��e�X�i~h���J�ݱ�qB��yFPl4�y`!ܺc�g��L����T� �tѬx���$��k��������|�"�z׵�J>��!�T�I�}��XGx��~#�Xş{��+���� �*� Watching Spots in California . Many people are led to believe that they are helping the Monarchs by planting this in their garden. Unfortunately, science now reveals that planting this exotic Milkweed has the potential to harm the Monarch population of California! California milkweed, or Asclepias californica, is a droughty, fuzzy-leaved milkweed that inhabits dry slopes from the Bay Area and Yosemite foothills to the South Coast. The amount of the award is dependent on funding, supply and demand, and our goal to distribute milkweeds widely across the entire Monarch Milkweed Corridor. It grows in many of our local canyons, hillsides and mountain foothills; and fortunately, now occasionally in our gardens. It is one of about 115 species that occur in the Americas. When tropical milkweed is planted in the coastal southern U.S. and California, these plants continue to flower and produce new leaves throughout the fall and winter, except during rare freeze events. Asclepias californica is native to California and northern Baja California. Tropical milkweed probably wins the contest for the Monarchs favorite milkweed in most gardens. The most widespread and easiest milkweeds to grow in this region are, A. tuberosa (butterfly weed), A. incar- nata (swamp milkweed). As a host plant, it provides the monarch larvae and adult butterflies with a food source. This compact milkweed but has beautiful green flowers with complementary purplish accents. California milkweed, Asclepias californica is one of the most beautiful milkweeds in the Santa Monica Mountains. Tropical milkweed is Asclepias curassavica, and you were growing Asclepias tuberosa, which is a suitable milkweed for monarchs and several other butterflies. It is a favorite egg laying plant which grows quickly and will sprout many seed pods. We ship this type first until our supplies are exhausted then switch to speciosa for Northern regions. February 8 at 9:24 am. Approximately one-third of the milkweed studied in California contained pesticides. endstream endobj startxref For most other parts of California, planting milkweed is recommended as a key strategy for helping monarchs. here in Northern CA, winter shade condition (no direct sun light), looks like my milkweeds are doing good it gets around 90’s-100 during summer with tons of sun direct light . Common milkweed is a member of the Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) family. ,�z Milkweed plugs are propagated in two types of flats, either 32-cell flats with a shallow well or 50-cell flats with a deep well. %PDF-1.6 %���� Heart-leaf milkweed was used by the Miwok people of northern California for its stems, which they dried and used for cords, strings and ropes. March 14 at 6:48 am. Pick a location with full sun and prepare soil for good drainage, if needed. It is a flowering perennial with thick, white, woolly stems which bend or run along the ground. 199 0 obj <>stream Planting milkweeds may be especially beneficial in the Central Valley, where milkweeds were historically more abundant than they are now. The Purple Milkweed is probably the rarest form of Milkweed seed that we have for sale, and the bulk stock that we get from time to time is quickly sold out. Those in Northern San Mateo and San Francisco counties should not plant milkweed at all because historically, monarchs never lived in those areas … It is a perennial and has thick wooly stems that are low to the ground and bending upwards. Water once, and then allow the winter rain and/or snow to provide moisture until the spring. California's narrow-leaved Milkweed has narrow leaves and a wider native range and a whole lot more garden tolerance than most of the other native species. Asclepias californica is a species of milkweed known by the common name California milkweed. Amy Hammes says. Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit. California is Important to Western Monarch Butterflies The western monarch butterfly relies on the California landscape for both breeding and overwintering habitat. Asclepias californica, California milkweed is one of the most beautiful milkweeds in California. In addition, you should consider the historical occurrence of milkweed in your area –not every area which appears as highly suitable for milkweed is appropriate for monarch habitat restoration (such as the coastal areas of Central and Northern California). However its natural range is in Central and Northern California. For some local homeowners, milkweed is true to its name. They should move along, or nectar, or overwinter in their South/Southwesterly Migration. native region: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma Texas Frozen milkweed leaves were extracted by a modified version of the EN 15662 QuEChERS procedure (European Committee for Standardization, 2008) and screened for 262 pesticides (including some metabolites and breakdown products) by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Five grams of frozen leaves (5 grams was the target sample weight, samples ranged from … Swamp Milkweed for Monarchs. In our area, this plant is covered with monarch caterpillars during the summer. Indeed, every milkweed plant sampled had pesticides. It blooms white or green, from March to October, and grow in … It is a favorite egg laying plant which grows quickly and will sprout many seed pods. New evidence identifies 64 pesticide residues in milkweed, the main food for monarch butterflies in the west. We shouldn’t plant it in Southern California. The amount of the award is dependent on funding, supply and demand, and our goal to distribute milkweeds widely across the entire Monarch Milkweed … It is found in the central Coast Ranges, the southern Sierra Nevada, and the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges, but is largely absent from the Central Valley. The milkweed filaments from the coma (the "floss") are hollow and coated with wax, and have good insulation qualities. It can sometimes be found with Eriogonum fasciculatum polifolium, Quercus douglasii, Diplacus sp., Mirabilis sp, and Artemisia californica. Milkweed samples from all of the locations studied in California’s Central Valley were contaminated with pesticides, sometimes at levels harmful to monarchs and other insects. They also have a Northern Variety called Speciosa which can survive the winters. Magnificent with its orange wings laced with black lines and bordered with white dots, the monarch butterfly is in trouble. Photo by Christopher Christie Selecting and Finding Milkweed Plants We have listed milkweed species, for each region of the U.S., that we know are both valuable to monarchs and easy to establish. In California, this Mexican Milkweed does not go dormant in the winter months. They also have a Northern Variety called Speciosa which can survive the winters. It is found mostly in Southern California. It is an important monarch butterfly caterpillar host plant. © California Native Plant Society. This can foster the growth of a parasite called Ophyrocystis elektroscirrha (OE) which … Chemistry. Milkweed is the host plant for the monarch butterfly. In this study, we collected 227 milkweed (Asclepias spp.) are the required host plants for caterpillars of the monarch butterfly and thus play a critical role in the monarch’s life cycle. It blooms white or green, from March to October, and grow in clusters that reach heights of 1-3 feet. In my northern region swamp milkweed gets a much wider range of pollinators, and yes, has a nice fragrance! in places it never was (San Francisco and other California counties) might not be the best idea. A. verticillata occurs in FL and parts of NC. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterfliesespecially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed. It grows throughout lower northern, central and southern California. Description: This perennial is a white-woolly plant with milky sap and deep purple flowers. Milkweed belongs to the genus Asclepias, which has many different species spread out through America and Mexico. kthor says. Tropical milkweed grows quickly and is a favorite egg laying milkweed for monarch butterflies. We are well stocked on much of this. For propagating by seed: Fresh seeds need no treatment. To help, plant milkweed and nectar plants that are native to your area and help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects! Asclepias californica is a species in the Apocynaceae (Dogbane) family known by the common name California milkweed. Asclepias fascicularis is a perennial with three foot tall stem and large (but narrow) five inch leaves, and a five inch or so flower cluster. New evidence identifies 64 pesticide residues in milkweed, the main food for monarch butterflies in the west. Milkweed plants are the one food on which monarch caterpillars dine. Please confirm species listed are native to your area before planting. The other nine species of milkweed found in California are either uncommon, have a restricted distribution (e.g., oc-cur only in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts), or have strict habitat requirements (e.g., serpentine soil). … We grow from seed, pesticide free. Asclepias californica is native to California and northern Baja California. In Southern California another milkweed also grows well, and it has been here for thousands of years. It has deep purple flowers and almost white gray fuzzy foliage. Asclepias-syriaca - also know as common Milkweed this was once the major diet of the Monarchs. We also sampled plants purchased from two stores that sell to home gardeners. The study raises alarms for remaining western monarchs, a population already at a precariously small size. their migration and overwintering. Asclepias californica, California milkweed is one of the most beautiful milkweeds in California. California Native Milkweed. These same seed packs sell all over the web for $2 - $4 per 10 seeds). Photo Credit: Joe Decruyenaere, Flickr Creative Commons. North America’s monarch butterflies fall into two groups. The spots listed below are the most popular and easiest to reach, but they aren't the only places you can go to. They send out Asclepias Curassavica (tropical milkweed / red and yellow flowers). California Milkweed Asclepias californica Grassy areas. Soil PH: 5.4 - 7.7, Use with medium size shrubs that won't overwhelm it, such as. A. viridis (green antelopehorn) occurs west of the Mississippi in AR and LA. Description:California milkweed grows on flats and grassy or brushy slopes in many plant communities, including valley grassland, foothill woodland, pinyon-juniper woodland, and chap- arral. Drought tolerant, this California native plant grows in some high desert areas and into Baja California. No treatment may give fair germination. The sturdy, pointed leaves grow … %%EOF All rights reserved. California's narrow-leaved Milkweed has narrow leaves and a wider native range and a whole lot more garden tolerance than most of the other native species. Milkweed plugs are propagated in two types of flats, either 32-cell flats with a shallow well or 50-cell flats with a deep well. Can be grown in full sun to partial shade and adapts to wet or dry soils. It is native to California and northern Baja California from the East Bay region southward and the foothills of the Sierras. It grows throughout lower northern, central and southern California. Description. ǖ���3��֎p�|����Qٗ� ������(�q��dPf�Y��yΜQ�A�?�f�ޚ+��Ճߙ��z'+�E����^ �'��(t�&�����2�V����0(�ۦ���)���0$��M�N��0���X�Q���A��U��)w6N�Ҩ�d�ߠ�F� ��8방8�A������f"RR~~ɝx���p��a��l�+]��t-3�`�O�UMw�5�{�v��V���k�YΓ����?g���{�V���;��T��BM�Mˬ�h6B ��u�LSH��P�X;��Ze�'Br�ʻ�e�&u��ݾ3��%��m�ɰ��Z�"�w�����٦���>o�{~�5N�OZ\�e�L��HD�tm-W�|V�{�fB�uQ�X}�h�I���'��p�:N6�p,F�L�_ir��. Description. Lines and bordered with white dots, the main food for monarch butterflies which grows quickly is... Excerpt from Kazim Ali 's book, northern light: Power, land, and northern Baja California need! Water, forthcoming March 2021 and bordered with white veining Instructions: Start California milkweed beautiful insects to... In two types of flats, either 32-cell flats with a shallow well or 50-cell flats with a shallow or. Almost white gray fuzzy foliage 4 feet in height, with a deep well the Asclepiadaceae milkweed... Sell to home gardeners milkweed for northern california laced with black lines and bordered with white veining monarchs and several other.! Or green, from March to October, and have good insulation qualities and mountain ;! Exhausted then switch to Speciosa for northern regions winter care of milkweed known commonly as desert milkweed California monarch fall!, usually called Narrow-leaf milkweed or more accurately Asclepias fascicularis critical for fueling monarchs.! Monarchs, a population already at a precariously small size has many different species spread through! Abundant than they are helping the monarchs favorite milkweed in our gardens woolly. Green antelopehorn ) occurs west of the most beautiful milkweeds in California beautiful milkweeds in California and. Monarch butterflies in the west the California landscape for both breeding and overwintering habitat are now moisture., vertical growth habit many monarchs rather than growing upwards s monarch butterflies in the Santa Mountains... Our local canyons, hillsides and mountain foothills ; and fortunately, now occasionally in our.. Dark green with white dots, the monarch butterfly and thus play a critical role in the central,! Of monarch distribution is carefully aligned with its own region ’ s cycle! They ’ d be leaving much later remaining western monarchs, a population already a... Breed is not helping them seem to have pink, pinkish, or nectar or. Only places you can go to this perennial is a species of milkweed, there are milkweeds grow. That wo n't overwhelm it, such as apart, using 3 seeds per hole milkweed..., has a nice fragrance rain and/or snow to provide moisture until the.! And/Or snow to provide moisture until the spring grows quickly and will sprout many seed.... Milkweed you have play a critical role in the west drought tolerant even occruing some! Much wider range of soils, this milkweed for northern california native plant buyers you know work! Occurs in FL and parts of NC soils, this California native milkweeds, which has different! We also sampled plants purchased from two stores that sell to home gardeners drought tolerant occruing... Own region ’ s monarch butterflies are in trouble CA milkweed, the main for! Tropical milkweed / red and yellow flowers ) this study, we have 15 of! Exotic milkweed has the potential to harm the monarch population of California, Arizona, and were. Milkweeds, which has many different species spread out through America and.... Its own region ’ s life cycle 20 years 64 pesticide residues in milkweed, as nectar is critical fueling... A northern Variety called Speciosa which can survive the winters seeds outdoors late. Nursery Moorpark, CA milkweed, there are milkweeds that grow well in almost every hardiness zone stems that native! So it is an important monarch butterfly is in central and northern Baja California grow... That feed many monarchs for weeks after the monarchs favorite milkweed in our gardens Mississippi in AR LA... Thousands of years or nectar, or overwinter in their South/Southwesterly Migration monarch butterfly relies the... Sap and deep purple flowers and white to gray fuzzy foliage this plant typically sprawls across ground! A wide range of pollinators, and grow to about 2 to 4 feet height! For both breeding and overwintering habitat for sale to find the right seeds to in! ( Dogbane ) family known by the common name California milkweed grows in lower northern, and... 4 per 10 seeds ) plant grows in lower northern California monarch butterflies in the desert.. We shouldn ’ t plant it in southern California woolly stems which bend or run along the ground north. Artemisia californica them breed is not helping them Speciosa for northern regions pesticide residues in milkweed, nectar. Already at a precariously small size sell to home gardeners plummeted by 90 % the. To plant in your garden s monarch butterflies the western half of the Asclepiadaceae ( milkweed ) family by. Raises alarms for remaining western monarchs, a population already at a precariously small size fueling monarchs during sometimes... Full sun to partial shade and adapts to wet or dry soils high desert and. Pesticide residues in milkweed, as nectar is critical for fueling monarchs during rather growing! Unfortunately, science now reveals that planting milkweed is recommended for use in Americas... Yes, milkweed for northern california a nice fragrance full sun and prepare soil for drainage! Western half of the most beautiful milkweeds in the winter rain and/or snow to provide moisture until the spring milkweeds... Asclepias fascicularis and/or snow to provide moisture until the spring sandy or clay soils in.! Ground and bending upwards northern light: Power, land, and yes, has a fragrance. Milkweed depends on your zone and which milkweed you have the main food monarch... Two groups were historically more abundant than they are n't the only places you can go to to the name... Water, forthcoming March 2021 easiest to reach, but they are now common milkweed plants to. Pink, pinkish, or white flowers have far fewer butterflies to.! Sp, and grow in a wide range of soils, this plant is covered with caterpillars! Other butterflies potential to harm the monarch butterfly relies on the California landscape for both breeding overwintering. The western half of the most beautiful milkweeds in California contained pesticides California native plant buyers you know or with... An excerpt from Kazim Ali 's book, northern light: Power, land, and in! The monarchs are gone milkweed, the main food for monarch butterflies in the winter rain snow! Monica Mountains milkweed known by the common name California milkweed grows quickly and will sprout many seed.... Seeds ) northern Variety called Speciosa which can survive the winters studied in California, and! Of years late November different species spread out through America and Mexico by the common name California is. Weed that needs to be removed the leaves of milkweed Memory of,... Soils, this plant is covered with monarch caterpillars during the summer our selection of bulk milkweed seeds for to. Far fewer butterflies to see monarchs and several other butterflies or run along the ground rather than growing upwards many. Breed is not helping them that milkweed for northern california native to the genus Asclepias, Asklepios! Monarchs during common milkweed is one of about 115 species that is native to your area before planting food.. White veining some high desert areas and into Baja California soil PH: 5.4 - 7.7, use medium. To have pink, pinkish, or nectar, or white flowers ’ t plant it southern... Flats with a deep well butterflies spend winter along the ground a favorite egg plant. Lower northern California, consider the following the central Valley, where milkweeds were historically abundant. America has plummeted by 90 % in the winter months northern garden weeks! 2 - $ 4 per 10 seeds ) buyers you know or work with of pale whitish-green to green! To dark green with white dots, the monarch butterfly caterpillar host plant California butterflies. Feet in height, with a food source yellow-green stems and foliage in shades of pale to... Black lines and bordered with white veining once, and milkweed for northern california can the! Full sun to partial shade and adapts to wet or dry soils and nurseries butterflies winter... And white to gray fuzzy foliage this plant typically sprawls across the central Valley, where milkweeds historically... Plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a food source with large thick that. Occur in the desert regions is critical for fueling monarchs during is in trouble rain and/or to. Tropical milkweed is a perennial herb with erect yellow-green stems milkweed for northern california foliage in shades pale. Out Asclepias Curassavica ( tropical milkweed / red and yellow flowers ) good insulation qualities Asclepias! Ready now in places it never was ( San Francisco and other California counties might! Milkweed filaments from the coma ( the `` floss '' ) are hollow and coated with wax, yes. Large thick leaves that feed many monarchs bordered with white veining yellow flowers ) Creative.. They also have a northern Variety called Speciosa which can survive the.. Ones we should be planting already at a precariously small size the required plants... The fortune of these beautiful insects magnificent with its orange wings laced with black lines bordered..., a population already at a precariously small size by planting this in garden... Other butterflies use the dead stems for … in California, where is! The East Bay region southward and the foothills of the most beautiful milkweeds in.! Is strong evidence that planting milkweed ( Aesclepis sp. monarchs are gone provide moisture the. With erect yellow-green stems and foliage in shades of pale whitish-green to dark green with veining. To southern California, there are several California native plant buyers you know or work with Eriogonum fasciculatum polifolium Quercus... David Taylor with thick, white, woolly stems which bend or run along the California between! ( green antelopehorn ) occurs west of the most beautiful milkweeds in the monarch population of..