Asclepias curassavica: We have a large selection of competitively priced in-stock inventory. California Milkweed Range Map: Map ©: Kartesz, J.T. We grow from seed, pesticide free. Different milkweed plants grow across the United States. 2013. Stay up to date by subscribing to our monthly news and plant availability email list. So many caterpillars have gone to their grave with empty bellies because they were purchased rather than allowed to breed and grow in a natural environment. Then, as Fall approaches, cut back your Mexican Milkweed to the ground. Its carnation-scented blossoms are two-tiered: Five-fingered pink coronas are backed by petals that blush a rosy mauve. It is a flowering perennial with thick, white, woolly stems which bend or run along the ground. Mojave milkweed, Asclepias nyctaginifolia. With deep purple flowers and white to gray fuzzy foliage this plant typically sprawls across the ground rather than growing upwards. California milkweed, Asclepias californica is one of the most beautiful milkweeds in the Santa Monica Mountains. Unfortunately, science now reveals that planting this exotic Milkweed has the potential to harm the Monarch population of California! This 2 minute video shows just how abundant monarch caterpillars were in southern California in July 2020 and how ravenously they eat! Easy to grow in a wide range of soils, this variety is recommended for use in the West. There are many other native milkweed species in each of these regions. The seeds get darker as they mature. We also provide contract grow and seed collection services for any size project. Here in the Bay Area, two species of Asclepias are classified as the "priority species" and are the two we grow at Yerba Buena Nursery. California Pollinator Plants Native Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) Asclepias californica is a species in the Apocynaceae (Dogbane) family known by the common name California milkweed. Source: USDA Plants Database as of November 15, 2017. We were releasing 500 caterpillars a week on native milkweed." Risks of Non-Native Milkweeds (Mexican Milkweed) in California Mexican Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is easy to find in garden centers and mega-marts around the Bay Area, and is an alluring purchase due to its showy red and yellow flowers and misleading common name of 'Milkweed'. Select your state on the map below to show the native milkweed and nectar sources. Milkweed is a family of plants. It is found mostly in Southern California. Caption: Indian milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) is another Southern California native species, but is seldom grown in gardens. So, this is what I would advise: a) Find out the local, native Milkweed endemic to your area. The true dangers of Asclepias curassavica begin to develop during the winter months when this Milkweed rebelliously chooses to not go dormant, promoting the development of the harmful parasite OE that kills Monarch butterflies. Asclepias californica is a species in the Apocynaceae (Dogbane) family known by the common name California milkweed. YES, PLANT THESE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA… Asclepias californica – deep pinkish/magenta-ish flowers It is a virtually carefree perennial that has light green narrow leaves on 3' stalks, with clusters of pinkish white flowers in summer. Gardeners can plant directly in the ground in the fall or transplant in late winter in mild climates. It is native to the American tropics and has a pantropical distribution as an introduced species.Other common names include bloodflower or blood flower, cotton bush, hierba de la cucaracha, Mexican butterfly weed, redhead, scarlet milkweed, and wild ipecacuanha. All of these seem to have pink, pinkish, or white flowers. Download as PDF. If you find that your Mexican Milkweed has brought a Monarch friend to your garden, don't panic! » Seek out nonchemical options to prevent and … » Plant native milkweed, including woollypod, California, heartleaf, narrowleaf and showy milkweed plants. These plants are the primary food of Monarch larvae.Milkweeds also support a large range of pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds. Choose from a large selection of competitively priced in-stock inventory and stay up to date with what's in stock by subscribing to our monthly plant availability email list. Both of the young Milkweed species we sell have a narrow leaf to begin, and the Showy Milkweed develops a broad leaf as it ages. Mexican whorled milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis. It is native to California and northern Baja California from the East Bay region southward and the foothills of the Sierras. Western Monarch Status - Dec. 2020 including severe decline and where to buy native milkweed in so. Please confirm species listed are native … Serial Number. As a naive butterfly lover, I picked up a tropical milkweed plant this past summer at a local nursery without reading throughly into all the studies that recommend against it especially in California where I live. Across North and South America and sub-Saharan Africa, various species of milkweed inhabit a diversity of habitats, including deserts, plains, woods, canyons, marshes, and meadows. There is also speculation that Non-Native Milkweeds disrupt the butterfly's migration cycle by causing them to believe that they are in Mexico and can affect their ability to survive the California winter. Welcome to Native West Nursery. California Milkweed is native to the following state: California Drought tolerant, this California native plant grows in some high desert areas and into Baja California. We respect your privacy. Velvety leaves glow in soft light. Continue planting for Butterflies, both adults and larvae of all breeds. Our 30-acre nursery is located in south San Diego County. California milkweed, native to central and southern California: Asclepias cordifolia: Heart-leaf milkweed, native to the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range up to 2000 m. Asclepias cryptoceras: Pallid milkweed, native to the western United States. We recommend planting native milkweeds only. Please call our office to learn how we can help you. I didn’t even know this was a concern, so then I researched the California natives, most are highly invasive (yes as roadside weeds they are fine, but not great for a garden) I did find that heart leaf milkweed is a non-invasive native, it grows naturally up in the Santa Cruz mountains, but I am in that area that isn’t the beach and not up in the mountains sort of a foothill area maybe. Two of these species, showy . Your efforts will help bring back the … CA Arboretums and "Butterfly Zoos" breed and raise butterflies completely in captivity and have the necessary infrastructure set up in advance to add caterpillars to their space. Alas, monarchs seem to prefer speciosa's homelier cousin, the narrow-leafed milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis). Large selection of native plants for habitat restoration and landscapingNative West Nursery is proud to offer the industry professional a one-stop source for demanding habitat restoration and beautiful native landscaping projects. One caterpillar can consume an entire Milkweed plant, so the more the merrier! Asclepias curassavica, commonly known as tropical milkweed, is a flowering plant species of the milkweed genus, Asclepias. California Narrow Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) is a western native species of Asclepias grown for its large white flowers and long, showy narrow leaves. The loveliest of the California natives is showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa). Our wholesale nursery specializes in custom seed collection and growing species native to the western United States. With Native West Nursery, you can be confident you are planting the most genetically appropriate and ecologically viable plant material for your habitat restoration project. Box 121390, San Diego, CA 92112-1390 ©2020 California Native Plant Society-San Diego Chapter This California native milkweed is critical in the life-cycle of the monarch butterfly whose larvae feed on the foliage. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. The next spring the growth will develop at or near the area. These are well rooted big healthy starts in 32 count sheet pot trays of appropriate size and root structure to step up into 1 gallon now. Native West Nursery grows hardy, healthy plants that stand up to the toughest growing conditions. There are several California native milkweeds, which are the ones we should be planting. Save time and money. Home gardens are not the appropriate place for imported caterpillars, educational science experiment or otherwise. Native West Nursery - Native plants and seed from California and the west for habitat restoration and landscaping. Desert milkweed, Asclepias erosa. Naturally beautiful in native gardens and landscapes, they are also a smart choice where water conservation is desired. This plant is a nectar source and host plant for the beautiful monarch butterflies. Allow monarch caterpillars to devour the plants. California milkweed, or Asclepias californica, is a droughty, fuzzy-leaved milkweed that inhabits dry slopes from the Bay Area and Yosemite foothills to the South Coast. You can help re-populate the landscape and rebuild the Monarch corridor by planting local Asclepias in your garden! 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