To support monarch butterflies, the University of Florida and other conservation groups recommend Florida native milkweed species as host and nectar plants.
Currently, there are three native milkweed species that are most commonly found for purchase in nurseries that specialize in Florida native plants. They are:
* Asclepias incarnata, common name – Swamp milkweed
* Asclepias perennis, common name – Aquatic milkweed
* Asclepias tuberosa, common name – Butterfly weed
Of these three species, two, as their common names suggest, prefer moist to wet soil conditions. The other, A. tuberosa, thrives in drier, well-draining soils.
Many soil conditions in central Florida are sandy in nature. The A. tuberosa can usually be successfully planted and grown in sandy soils with good drainage and full sun. This species is drought tolerant. In fact, this species may need supplemental irrigation only in extended dry periods.
For growing the two moist-loving species, butterfly gardeners may fear their sandy soils won’t support these … But while we can’t fool mother nature, we can definitely work with her! Here’s one very easy solution to growing moist-loving native milkweeds in your sandy landscape:
Select a non-draining container. A shallow pond liner works very well. Locate near a water hose. The photo shows two pond liners 8” deep and 26” round. Dig a hole shaped like the liner so that it will sit very slightly higher than the soil line. Refill back with the natural soil and install your milkweed plants. Water thoroughly until the soil is completely drenched. This size pond liner will hold about 5 swamp milkweeds or about 10-12 aquatic milkweeds.
The milkweeds in the photo have been in these ponds for about 4 years. They receive full sun with afternoon shade. They are top-dressed with about an inch of oak leaves; no other fertilization has been added. The containers will stay wet/moist for quite a while, being irrigated only with rainfall. In drought conditions, they receive supplemental water from the hose.
This is a super easy way to grow moist-loving native milkweeds (incarnata and perennis), to welcome Monarch butterflies into your “sandy” butterfly garden!
For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu.
If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.
The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible.
This article was written by Master Gardener Volunteer Molly Griner under supervision of the Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator and Residential Horticulture Extension Agent Anne Yasalonis.
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