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Monday - October 20, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Butterfly Gardens, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Milkweed recommendations for Austin, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I live on thin limestone soil in Austin's NW Hills. I'd like to plant some milkweed to help the monarch butterflies in their migration. Which species should I plant, and are those available in our local nurseries or at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center? Or must I start with seeds - I'm not very successful planting seeds. Also, do the plants require full sun, or will part shade do? Most of my yard is pretty shady.ANSWER:
Awww - - You just missed it! The Wildflower Center just held its Fall Wildflower Sale last weekend – and they had two native varieties of Milkweed for Sale: Asclepias texana (Texas milkweed) and Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
[They were quite popular for the same reason that you want them, but you may want to give the Wildflower Center a call and see if they are available] Similarly, as many folks are interested in supporting the Monarchs, it is likely that your local native plant supplier would also have them in stock!
As natives recommended for this area – You can be comfortable that these varieties are well suited to our lovely thin limestone soil and seriously hot summers [not that they like it any more than we do!]
The growing conditions for Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed) gave:
GROWING CONDITIONS
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Prefers well-drained sandy soils. Tolerates drought.
With that, it looks like the sunnier areas of your yard would be the most successful, Asclepias texana (Texas milkweed) indicated it needed full sun.
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