In the realm of gardening, knowing what plants to accompany your milkweed can greatly enhance its growth and attractiveness to pollinators. This article explores the concept of companion planting with milkweed, providing valuable insights and suggestions for the best plant pairings. Through the inclusion of informative content and visually appealing images, this piece aims to guide you in selecting the ideal companions for your milkweed, ensuring its successful growth and fostering a thriving ecosystem in your garden.
Companion Plants for Milkweed
When it comes to creating a thriving garden that supports pollinators and beneficial insects, it’s essential to choose companion plants that complement and enhance the growth of milkweed. By selecting the right plants to grow alongside milkweed, you can create a diverse and vibrant ecosystem that attracts a wide range of pollinators and adds beauty to your garden.
Native Wildflowers
Native wildflowers are an excellent choice for companion planting with milkweed. They not only provide a striking burst of color but also support a variety of pollinators. Some of the native wildflowers that pair well with milkweed include:
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): This stunning wildflower is known for its vibrant purple petals and prominent cone-shaped centers. It attracts bees, butterflies, and birds, making it an excellent companion for milkweed.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): With its bright yellow petals and dark brown centers, black-eyed Susans are a favorite of bees and butterflies. They bloom throughout the summer and add a cheerful touch to any garden.
Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.): Asters come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and blue, and they are well-loved by butterflies and bees. Planting asters alongside milkweed ensures a vibrant and colorful display in your garden.
Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa): Also known as wild bergamot, bee balm is a native wildflower with beautiful lavender-pink flowers. It attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, making it an excellent companion for milkweed.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Despite its reputation for causing allergies, goldenrod is an essential plant for pollinators. Its bright yellow blooms are beloved by bees and butterflies, and it adds a burst of color to any garden.
Nectar Plants for Butterflies
One of the primary reasons for planting milkweed is to attract butterflies, so it’s crucial to include nectar plants that provide a food source for these beautiful creatures. Here are some nectar plants that go well with milkweed:
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii): As the name suggests, butterfly bush is a magnet for butterflies. Its long, cone-shaped clusters of flowers produce ample nectar, attracting a wide variety of butterfly species.
Lantana (Lantana camara): Lantana is a popular choice for butterfly gardens due to its vibrant colors and ability to attract a multitude of butterflies. It blooms continuously throughout the summer, ensuring a constant source of nectar.
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans): Zinnias, with their vibrant and diverse range of colors, are a favorite among butterflies. Their flat, daisy-like flowers are rich in nectar, and they are easy to grow from seeds.
Verbena (Verbena spp.): Verbena produces clusters of small, colorful flowers that are irresistible to butterflies. With its long blooming period, it provides a consistent source of nectar for these delicate insects.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.): Coreopsis, commonly known as tickseed, offers beautiful yellow, orange, and red blooms that attract butterflies. Its numerous flowers ensure that there is always a nectar source available.
Beneficial Insect Attractors
Creating a garden that supports beneficial insects is crucial for maintaining overall garden health. These insects provide natural pest control and contribute to a balanced ecosystem. Consider planting the following beneficial insect attractors alongside milkweed:
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow is a versatile and hardy perennial that attracts various beneficial insects, including ladybugs and lacewings. Its clusters of small, flat-topped flowers are not only visually appealing but also provide abundant nectar and pollen.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Russian sage is a drought-tolerant plant that produces long spikes of small, purple-blue flowers. It attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, such as hoverflies, which feed on garden pests.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Lavender is loved for its aromatic fragrance and delicate purple flowers. Bees and butterflies are drawn to its nectar-rich blooms, making it an excellent companion plant for milkweed.
Sunflower (Helianthus spp.): Sunflowers are not only a beautiful addition to any garden, but they also attract a wide range of beneficial insects, including bees, butterflies, and ladybugs. Their vibrant blooms provide a generous amount of pollen and nectar.
Echinops (Echinops ritro): Commonly known as globe thistle, echinops produces striking globular, blue flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Its long blooming period ensures a steady supply of nectar throughout the season.
Edible Plants
Why not combine beauty and function by including edible plants in your milkweed companion planting? Not only will these plants attract pollinators, but they will also provide you with fresh, homegrown ingredients. Consider planting the following edible plants alongside milkweed:
Dill (Anethum graveolens): Dill not only adds a unique flavor to your dishes, but it also attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies. Its delicate yellow flowers are a favorite of bees and butterflies.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Fennel is not only a delicious herb with a distinctive anise-like flavor, but its yellow flowers are also highly attractive to bees and butterflies. Planting fennel alongside milkweed adds visual interest and provides a source of food for pollinators.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): A versatile herb that is a staple in many dishes, parsley also boasts small, star-shaped flowers that attract bees and other beneficial insects. Its lush foliage adds a touch of greenery to your garden.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Basil is a popular culinary herb that also attracts bees and butterflies with its fragrant white flowers. Planting basil alongside milkweed ensures a bountiful harvest of both nectar and delicious leaves.
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum): Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a favorite herb in many cuisines. Its delicate white flowers attract beneficial insects, while its leaves provide a tasty addition to a variety of dishes.
Pollinator-Friendly Herbs
Incorporating herbs into your milkweed companion planting not only adds fragrance and flavor to your garden but also attracts pollinators. Consider planting the following herbs alongside milkweed to create a pollinator-friendly environment:
Mint (Mentha spp.): Mint is a fragrant herb that offers both culinary and medicinal uses. Bees and butterflies are drawn to its clusters of small flowers, making it an excellent addition to your garden.
Thyme (Thymus spp.): Thyme is a versatile herb with tiny, tubular flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Its aromatic foliage adds texture and fragrance to your garden while supporting pollinators.
Oregano (Origanum spp.): Oregano not only adds a robust flavor to your dishes but also attracts bees and butterflies with its small, pink or purple flowers. Its low-growing habit makes it suitable for ground cover or container planting.
Sage (Salvia spp.): Sage is a perennial herb that produces vibrant flowers in shades of blue, purple, or red. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to its nectar-rich blooms, making it an excellent companion for milkweed.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary is a fragrant herb with woody stems and small, pale blue flowers. Bees and butterflies are attracted to its flowers, while its aromatic foliage adds beauty and fragrance to your garden.
Ground Covers
Ground covers can be a practical and visually appealing addition to your milkweed companion planting. They help suppress weeds, protect the soil, and offer habitat for beneficial insects. Consider these ground covers to pair with milkweed:
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): Creeping thyme is a low-growing perennial that forms a dense mat of fragrant foliage. Its small, pink, white, or purple flowers attract bees and butterflies while adding beauty to your garden.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata): Creeping phlox is a durable ground cover that produces a profusion of colorful flowers. Bees and butterflies are drawn to its nectar-rich blooms, making it a great addition to your milkweed companion planting.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia): With its trailing stems and vibrant yellow flowers, creeping Jenny adds a cheerful touch to your garden. It forms a dense mat that helps suppress weeds, while its flowers provide nectar for pollinators.
Creeping Raspberry (Rubus pentalobus): Creeping raspberry is a low-growing shrub with trailing stems and thornless leaves. Its white flowers attract bees and butterflies, and it produces small, edible fruits later in the season.
Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea): Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a fast-growing ground cover with attractive purple flowers. Bees are particularly drawn to its blooms, making it a beneficial addition to your milkweed garden.
Shade-Tolerant Plants
If you have areas in your garden that receive partial shade, it’s essential to choose companion plants that can thrive in these conditions. Here are some shade-tolerant plants that pair well with milkweed:
Astilbe (Astilbe spp.): Astilbe is a perennial with feathery, plume-like flowers that bloom in shades of pink, white, purple, or red. Its showy flowers add elegance to shaded areas while attracting bees and butterflies.
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): With its unique, bell-shaped flowers in a range of colors, columbine is a beautiful addition to any shade garden. Its nectar-rich blooms attract bees and hummingbirds.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spp.): Bleeding heart is a shade-loving perennial with heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white. Its delicate blooms attract bees and other pollinators, adding charm to your garden.
Hellebore (Helleborus spp.): Hellebore, also known as Lenten rose, is a perennial with elegant, cup-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring. Bees and other insects are attracted to its nectar, making it an excellent companion for milkweed.
Hosta (Hosta spp.): Hostas are beloved for their lush foliage and ability to thrive in shade. While they don’t produce showy flowers, their dense leaves provide shelter for beneficial insects, and their blooms attract bees and hummingbirds.
Perennial Flowers
To create a low-maintenance garden that blooms year after year, consider planting perennial flowers alongside milkweed. These long-lasting plants will provide a consistent source of nectar for pollinators and add beauty to your garden. Here are some perennial flowers that pair well with milkweed:
Coneflower (Echinacea spp.): Coneflowers come in a variety of colors, including pink, white, and orange. They are loved by bees and butterflies and add a vibrant touch to any garden.
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.): Bee balm comes in a range of colors, including red, pink, and purple. Its showy blooms attract bees and butterflies, while its fragrance adds a pleasant aroma to your garden.
Meadow Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis): With its unique, upright flower spikes, meadow blazing star is a standout in any garden. Its nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies and bees, making it a valuable companion for milkweed.
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.): Joe-Pye weed is a tall perennial with clusters of pink or purple flowers. It attracts a variety of butterflies and provides a dramatic backdrop in your garden.
Phlox (Phlox spp.): Phlox comes in a range of colors and produces fragrant blooms that attract bees and butterflies. Its long blooming period ensures a steady supply of nectar throughout the season.
Attractive Ornamental Grasses
Incorporating ornamental grasses into your milkweed companion planting adds texture and movement to your garden. They provide a dramatic backdrop for other plants and attract seed-eating birds. Consider these attractive ornamental grasses to pair with milkweed:
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum): Fountain grass is a graceful, arching grass that produces soft, bottlebrush-like flowers. It adds a touch of elegance to any garden and attracts birds with its abundant seeds.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): Switchgrass is a native grass known for its upright growth and colorful foliage. It provides shelter and nesting material for birds while adding height and interest to your garden.
Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora): Feather reed grass is a versatile grass that forms upright clumps and produces feathery flower spikes. It adds a structural element to your garden and attracts birds with its seeds.
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis): Maiden grass is a popular ornamental grass with long, arching leaves and feathery plumes. It provides year-round interest in the garden and attracts birds with its seeds in the fall.
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana): Pampas grass is a tall, showy grass that adds drama and texture to any garden. Its large plumes attract birds and create a stunning focal point.
Container Plants
If you have limited garden space or want to create portable pollinator-friendly areas, container plants are an excellent choice. They allow you to enjoy milkweed and its companions on your patio, balcony, or anywhere with ample sunlight. Consider these container plants to pair with milkweed:
Petunia (Petunia spp.): Petunias are popular container plants due to their vibrant flowers and ease of care. They attract bees and butterflies with their nectar-rich blooms and add a splash of color to your outdoor space.
Marigold (Tagetes spp.): Marigolds are known for their bright orange, yellow, and red flowers. They attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while repelling some garden pests, making them an excellent companion for milkweed.
Salvia (Salvia spp.): Salvias come in a variety of colors and bloom from summer to fall. They attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making them a captivating addition to your container garden.
Geranium (Pelargonium spp.): Geraniums are versatile and low-maintenance container plants with bright and cheerful flowers. They attract bees and butterflies while adding a pop of color to your outdoor space.
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus): Snapdragons bear tall spikes of brightly colored flowers that resemble the faces of dragons. They attract bees and butterflies and are sure to liven up any container garden.
By incorporating a variety of companion plants alongside milkweed, you can create a garden that supports pollinators, beneficial insects, and adds beauty to your outdoor space. Whether you choose native wildflowers, nectar plants for butterflies, or edible herbs, there are plenty of options to suit your preferences and garden conditions. So get planting and enjoy the vibrant and diverse ecosystem that will flourish in your milkweed companion planting.