Sustainable Wellesley is once again offering healthy and sturdy milkweed plants in an effort to help out Monarch butterfly populations, which are down by 90 percent due to habitat loss and the use of pesticides and herbicides. You can help restore the Monarchs by planting milkweed plants (Asclepius incarnata) in your pesticide and herbicide-free yard. Milkweeds are an essential part of the Monarch diet – the caterpillars MUST eat it in order to survive.

The milkweed plant is attractive with beautiful pink and white flowers that will attract butterflies and other pollinators to your home. Sustainable Wellesley accepts donations of $5.00 for each plug of milkweed. You can also buy the plants at their cost of $2.00 each, because Sustainable Wellesley wants everyone to be able to take part. The plugs grow quickly and are very low maintenance.

There are three varieties to choose from:

Asclepius incarnata, which is very healthy and sturdy
Syriaca which is bigger and more vigorous than the Incarnata and easy to grow. Folks with wilder gardens will really love them. They are very nectar rich, attracting many pollinators, providing habitat for the monarch caterpillars.
Tuberosa. Its bright orange flowers attract many pollinators.

Order your variety of organic milkweeds today here. Email [email protected] with your variety choice. These are going fast so order soon. This is the third year that Sustainable Wellesley has offered milkweeds. Last year was a great success with over sixty homeowners planting over 200 plants, and Monarchs were spotted taking advantage of the bounty. Please take part in helping the Monarchs and plant milkweeds in your yard this summer.

Sustainable Wellesley would like to thank the Mosher Family who donated some of the Incarnata plugs.