Thank you for purchasing your native pollinator plants! The following planting instructions can help insure a happy and successful plant.
Root Pouch Growing Bags
If your plant came in a fabric Root Pouch brand growing bag, The Milkweed Patch recommends that your plant be removed from it before planting. Dig a hole twice as large as the pot and water the hole well. It’s easier to handle the plant if you allow it to dry out just a little before transplanting it. Cut the Root Pouch so the plant can be removed with minimal root disturbance, place the plant and its soil into the hole, and fill in with the soil you removed when digging the hole. Be sure the soil level from the pot matches the soil level of the ground. You don’t want the plant too deep or above ground. Water the plant and water it whenever it’s dry during the first year. There is no need to fertilize native plants and they do best without mulch around them.
Find out more about the Root Pouches we use on their website. https://rootpouch.com/products/thin-black
Milkweed
Your milkweed plant should have come with a plant marker with the scientific name. Not all milkweed needs the same growing conditions so please refer to the specific species information.
Asclepias exaltata (Poke milkweed)
One of the few milkweeds that thrives in shade. Plant in full to partial shade in medium-wet to medium-dry soil. Water when dry during first year, then during periods of long drought after. White to cream colored drooping flowers. This milkweed is great for a woodland edge. Up to 5’ tall.
Asclepias hirtella (Tall green milkweed)
Plant in full sun in dry to medium-wet soils. Water when dry during first year, then during periods of long drought after. Grows 36-48” tall.
Asclepias incarnata (“Swamp” milkweed, rose milkweed)
Plant in full sun, preferably, but will tolerate light shade. Prefers consistently moist soil but will still perform in average, dry to medium soils. Water when dry during first year, then during periods of long drought after. This milkweed forms a nice clump and is great for a traditional flower bed. Grows 36-48” tall.
Asclepias sullivantii (Sullivant’s milkweed, prairie milkweed)
Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soils. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Does well in a variety of soils. Grows 36-48” tall.
Asclepias syriaca (Common milkweed)
Plant in full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Water when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Does well in a variety of soils. Flowers are very fragrant. Plant will spread by underground rhizome that can travel several feet from original plant to form a colony. Can be cut back to the ground after flowering to produce new growth (monarch momma favorite) although this practice usually results in no mature seed pods. Grows 36-60″ tall.
Asclepias tuberosa (“Butterfly milkweed”)
Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soils. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. This milkweed does not like wet feet, especially in winter. Does well in poor, dryish soils. This milkweed forms a nice clump and is great for a traditional flower bed, although may need to be replaced every few years. It has a long taproot and does not transplant well so plant it where you want it to stay. Grows 18-24” tall.
Asclepias verticillata (Whorled milkweed)
Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soils. It is best grown in poor, sandy, or rocky soil, where it will not be in competition with other taller species. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Plants will spread by rhizomes to form a colony but are not considered aggressive. Whorled blooms later in than season most other native milkweed, with fragrant creamy white blooms between July and September. Grows 12-24” tall.
Asclepias viridis (Tall green milkweed, spider milkweed)
Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soils. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Does well in a variety of soils. It is one of our earliest blooming species that flowers starting in mid-late May into mid-June. This milkweed forms a nice clump and is great for a traditional flower bed. It has a long taproot but may also spread slowly by underground rhizome. Grows 20-30” tall.
Cynanchum laeve (Milkweed vine, honeyvine)
Plant in full sun, preferably, but will tolerate significant shade. Prefers average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Water when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Does well in lots of locations but give it something to climb. Being a vine, it grows all summer making it a monarch momma favorite in late summer when the other milkweed is less attractive. Flowers are small but very fragrant giving it its other common name of “Honeyvine.” Seed pods will form that look just like other milkweed seed pods.
Other Flowering Plants
Agastache foeniculum (Anise hyssop)
Plant in full to partial sun, in medium to medium dry soil. Long bloom time from June – September. Crushed leaves smell like anise or licorice making it deer resistant. Provides high-quality nectar for migrating monarchs and other pollinators. Readily self-sows. Grows 24-36″ tall.
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
Tolerates a wide range of light from full sun to full shade in medium to dry soil. Blooming from April to June, it provides critical early spring nectar and is a hummingbird favorite! Deer resistant. Bloom stalks can grow to 2 feet tall.
Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower)
Plant in full to partial sun. Prefers consistently moist soil but will still perform in average soils. Long bloom time from August – October. Provides high-quality nectar for migrating monarchs. Host plant for several moth species. Aggressive self-seeder that can spread in moist open ground. Grows 24-36″ tall.
Coreopsis lanceolata (Lance-leaf coreopsis)
Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soils. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Does well in a variety of soils but excels in sandy soil. Early summer bloom time is at least a month and can be extended by deadheading. Birds enjoy the seeds in the fall. Grows 24” tall.
Coreopsis palmata (Prairie coreopsis)
Plant in full to partial sun in medium to dry soil. Long bloom time from June to August and flowers can be dead-headed to prolong blooms. Provides valuable high-quality nectar for early migrating monarchs and other pollinators. Beekeepers consider all Coreopsis species to be good honey sources. Grows up to 2 feet tall.
Cunila origanoides (American dittany)
Plant in full to partial shade in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Water when dry during first year; drought resistant once established but benefits from watering during prolonged drought. Its most unique feature is its ice ribbons… Grows 12-18” tall.
Dodecatheon meadia (Shooting star)
Tolerates full to partial sun in soils ranging from medium wet to medium dry. Blooming from April to June, it provides critical early spring nectar and pollen for emerging pollinators. Goes dormant by midsummer and stays compact at about 12 inches tall.
Echinacea purpurea (Purple coneflower)
Plant in full to partial sun in average, well-drained soils. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Summer bloom time is at least a month and can be extended by deadheading. Goldfinches enjoy the seeds in the fall and it’s a hummingbird favorite. Grows 24-48” tall.
Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake master)
Thrives in full sun and medium wet to medium dry soils. Blooming from July to September, it offers valuable late nectar for monarchs and many other pollinators and serves as a host plant for the Black swallowtail. Grows to about 4 feet tall.
Helianthus angustifolius (Swamp sunflower)
Prefers full sun and wetter soils, though it tolerates medium conditions. From August to October, it provides valuable late nectar for monarchs and many other pollinators and supports the Silvery Checkerspot, Painted lady, and American lady butterflies. Can reach 8 feet tall.
Heliopsis helianthoides (Smooth oxeye)
Grows well in full to partial sun and medium wet to medium dry soils. Blooming June through September, it supplies nectar and pollen to many pollinators, and its seeds are enjoyed by songbirds. Host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot, Painted lady, and American lady butterflies. A short-lived perennial that self-seeds readily. Reaches 4–6 feet.
Liatris aspera (Rough blazing star)
Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soils. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Host plant for the Blazing star borer and Liatris borer moths. Grows 24-36” tall.
Liatris ligulistylis (Meadow blazing star)
Plant in full to partial sun in medium wet to medium dry soils. Prefers a moister location than its relatives. Host plant for the Blazing star borer and Liatris borer moths. A magnet for migrating monarchs. Grows 36-60” tall.
Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii (Northern blazing star)
Plant in full to partial sun in average, well-drained soils. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Host plant for the Blazing star borer and Liatris borer moths. May need staking. Grows 24-60” tall.
Liatris spicata (Dense blazing star)
Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soils. Water only when dry during first year; drought tolerant once established. Host plant for the Blazing star borer and Liatris borer moths. May need staking. Grows 24-60” tall.
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower)
Plant in full to partial sun in wet to medium wet soils. Perfect for a rain garden. Hummingbird and swallowtail favorite. Short-lived perennial but self-seeds readily. Deer and rabbit resistant. Grows to 48″ tall.
Monarda fistulosa (Wild bergamot)
Thrives in full to partial sun and tolerates soils from medium wet to dry. Blooms July to September, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Deer resistant. About 4 feet tall.
Oligoneuron riddelli (Riddell’s goldenrod)
Plant in full sun in moist to slightly dry conditions. Not particular about soil. Water when dry during first year; drought resistant once established. Blooms late summer to fall. Monarch favorite. Grows 24-60” tall.
Oligoneuron rigidum (Stiff goldenrod)
Plant in full sun in moist to slightly dry conditions. Not particular about soil. Water when dry during first year; drought resistant once established. Blooms late summer to fall. Grows 24-60” tall.
Penstemon digitalis (Beardtongue)
Prefers full to partial sun in medium to medium dry soils. Blooms June to July, attracting many bee species and hummingbirds. Host plant for the Common buckeye butterfly. Reaches about 4 feet tall.
Pycnanthemum muticum (Clustered mountain mint)
Plant in full to partial shade in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Long flowering season with nectar adored by pollinators. Clump forming; not aggressive. Grows to 36”.
Rudbeckia fulgida (Orange coneflower)
Plant in full to partial sun in average, medium wet to medium dry, well-drained soils. Water when dry during first year; drought resistant once established. Host plant for the Silvery checkerspot, American lady, and Painted lady butterflies. Deer resistant. Grows to 36″.
Silene regia (Royal catchfly)
Grows in full to partial sun and medium to medium dry soils. Blooms July to August and is a hummingbird and swallowtail favorite. About 4 feet tall.
Solidago caesia (Blue-stemmed goldenrod)
Plant in full to partial shade in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Stems have a bluish tone. Drought resistant once established. Grows to 36”.
Solidago flexicaulis (Zigzag goldenrod)
Plant in full to partial shade in average, medium wet to medium dry, well-drained soils. Woodland songbirds enjoy the seed. Grows to 36”.
Solidago odora (Fragrant goldenrod)
Plant in full to partial sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Provides valuable nectar for migrating monarchs. Host plant for Pearl crescent and Silvery checkerspot. Grows to 36”.
Solidago rugosa (Wrinkle-leaf goldenrod)
Plant in full to partial sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Provides valuable nectar for migrating monarchs. Goldfinches enjoy the seed. Grows to 36”.
Solidago speciosa (Showy goldenrod)
Plant in full or partial sun in slightly moist to slightly dry conditions. One of the most showy goldenrods. Upright stems with foot-long flower rods. Grows to 5’.
Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Heart-leaved aster)
Plant in full to partial shade in average, medium to medium dry, well-drained soils. Late blooming. Host plant for Pearl crescent and Silvery checkerspot. Grows to 36”.
Symphyotrichum drummondii (Drummond’s aster)
Tolerates full sun to shade and medium wet to medium dry soils. Blooms September to October. Hosts several butterfly and moth species. About 3 feet tall.
Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth blue aster)
Plant in full to partial sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Provides valuable nectar for migrating monarchs. Host plant for Pearl crescent and Silvery checkerspot. Grows 18-30” tall.
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Aromatic aster)
Plant in full to partial sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Provides valuable nectar for migrating monarchs. Host plant for Pearl crescent and Silvery checkerspot. Grows 36-48” tall.
Symphyotrichum sericeum (Silky aster)
Prefers full to partial sun and medium dry to dry soils. Very late bloomer providing important nectar for migrating monarchs. Compact at 1–2 feet tall.
Symphyotrichum shortii (Short’s aster)
Thrives in full to partial shade and medium to medium dry soils. Blooms August to October. Hosts many butterfly and moth species. About 3 feet tall.
Verbesina virginica (Frostweed)
Plant in full to partial shade in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Known for its ice ribbons during the first hard freeze. Host plant for the Silvery checkerspot, American lady, and Painted lady butterflies. Grows 36-60” tall.
Vernonia fasciculata (Common ironweed)
Grows in full to partial sun and medium wet to medium soils. Host plant for the American painted lady and Painted lady butterflies and Ironweed borer moth. Deer resistant. About 6 feet tall.
Vernonia missurica (Missouri ironweed)
Prefers full sun and medium wet to medium dry soils. Blooms July through October. Deer resistant. Typically 5 feet tall. Host plant for the American painted lady and Painted lady butterflies and Ironweed borer moth.
Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s root)
Thrives in full to partial sun and medium wet to medium dry soils. Features candelabra-like spikes of white flowers. Deer resistant. About 5 feet tall.
Shrubs
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
Plant in full to partial sun in wet to medium wet soils. Does not do well in dry soils. Valuable high-quality nectar for butterflies, bees, and many other pollinators. Seed consumed by waterfowl. Host plant for the Hydrangea sphinx and Royal walnut moths. Deer and rabbit resistant. Grows to 12′ tall and 8′ wide.