Rewilding My Lot

I am attempting to develop an area at the back of the garden that has a variety of native milkweeds. I have planted and seeded several things, but only a few seem to have established so far. The two that I recognize growing this year so far are Zizotes (Asclepias oenotheroides) and Antelope Horns (Asclepias asperula). The photo above is of the Zizotes that is “correctly” growing in the milkweed area.

By far the happiest milkweed in this garden is Zizotes, based on how often I find it where I did not put it (presumably because of self-seeding). Usually I find it in places that have been designated for other things, but because I want more milkweeds, this plant has been allowed to stay in those locations. Here are some examples:

On the most commonly used pathway, beside the pond.

In the Thunder Turf short native grass area.

In the mid-height prairie grass area.

If I find a small volunteer in the garden that looks like a milkweed, one way to support that identity is to snip one of the leaves to see if there is a milky white sap.