Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca is a bold plant. With coarse foliage and tall stalks, it looks best with tall finely cut leaved plants. Beside the driveway, it mingles with garden giants like tall coreopsis, Coreopsis tripteris, and ironweed, Vernonia noveboracensis.

In spring, common milkweed produces pink clusters of flowers with a heavenly fragrance. Bees go crazy for milkweed, which plays a trick on them. The flowers trap the legs of insects in tiny sticky holes. As the bees shake free, they insure pollination. Our wildlife garden hums with activity when milkweed comes into bloom.

Milkweed wanders around the garden but rarely seeds itself about. Surprisingly, a milkweed sprout popped up near the button bush on the opposite side of the garden. Under a leaf, I discovered the first monarch caterpillar of the season.

Milkweed, misfortunate name for a delightful plant.