Milkweed: not a weed
Don't be fooled by the boring name: Milkweed is an amazing plant. As the only plant Monarch caterpillars can eat, it plays a crucial role for the iconic butterfly. Without Milkweed, Monarch caterpillars would starve.
Milkweed flowers also provide nectar for adult butterflies during their yearly migration. The vibrant, fragrant flowers of milkweed attract the butterflies and serve as a crucial food source, offering them the energy needed for their epic 3,000 mile flight.
Unfortunately, Milkweed has a bad reputation. Some species are invasive, choking out native plants. Herbicide use and widespread mowing have also hurt native Milkweed populations. By growing Milkweed in your pollinator garden, you help reverse this trend and provide an irreplaceable habitat for Monarch caterpillars.