Milkweed

By Patricia Neleski

This time on Weed Talk, we are talking about Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, which you can see this time of year in front of the Colonial Beach Community Garden. Though there are more than 8 types of milkweed, this native variety is the most common form found on the Northern Neck. Installed several years ago by garden volunteers, they come back year after year. m

And some of this milkweed was transplanted into the new CB Greenspace rain garden in front of the Community Center on Marshall Avenue. This is one “weed” we do not want to remove from our gardens. It is truly important for helping to save Monarch butterflies.

Though important because it is the only plant on which Monarchs will lay their eggs and subsequently, on which their caterpillars will feed- milkweed also has an interesting historical story. And it’s useful in the compost pile.

In Colonial times, housewives often dipped milkweed stalks into wax to create wicks. The sappy substance in the milkweed helped the candles burn longer and in summertime, the supply of plant material was abundant!

Now, however, we don’t need to make candles out of the plant, and we know how important it is to the monarchs. At the end of the season, though, milkweed is very useful in the compost pile. The leaves are very high in primary nutrients Calcium and magnesium, and high in micronutrients manganese, zinc, boron, chlorine and selenium. The stalks are great for creating good airflow in the compost, making this plant as important after the growing season as it is all summer long. If you would like to plant your own milkweed, while they last there are milkweed seeds on the table in front of the Parks and Recreation office at Town Hall.

When you get the chance, stop by the community garden and see the milkweed and the Monarchs. And as always, we’d love to see you in the garden.

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