Asclepias syriaca – Common Milkweed

Simply put, one of the best nectar plants for adult butterflies and one of the most important host plants for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. It’s also an aggressive spreader so leave it out of your formal garden and place it in a sunny, out of the way spot where its rampant habit will not be resented. It also moves around by seed but is shallow-rooted and can be easily yanked out if it finds its way into a perennial bed. The greenish-pink flowers are wonderfully fragrant – just watch your nose with all the bees around!