When I first decided to plant a Butterfly Garden, I read that you needed milkweed to attract Monarch butterflies.
So...I planted some Common Milkweed. BIG MISTAKE!!
This is an invasive plant that sends runners underground and shows up all over the place. It can look quite "weedy", also.
Years later, I am still occasionally pulling this pest out of my garden.
Here is a picture of a mature Common Milkweed plant (right). Common Milkweed works fine for raising butterflies with kids (or yourself!) when you don't have any milkweed in your garden.
It is usually easy to find in roadside ditches or weedy areas. Check out the leaves for eggs or caterpillars to bring home and raise. Don't forget that you will need a supply of leaves to feed the caterpillar.
I quickly realized my mistake, did some research and bought some perennial
Swamp Milkweed.
My other favorite milkweed is
Tropical or Scarlet Milkweed.
This is an annual in the colder climates. I start Tropical or Scarlet Milkweed from seed and put plenty of plants in my garden.
As long as I have a good supply of both of these milkweeds . . . .the Monarchs will come!!
I will go into further detail on my two favorites from the milkweed family of plants in links to follow, including more photos of milkweed.