🌿🌿 TWO Swan Plant Milkweeds- tell them apart❓🧐

Happy Wednesday Good GROWer,

Milkweed madness continues with two more milkweed species that are often confused, which is another reminder of why you should always use botanical/scientific names when purchasing plants.

Milkweed Madness GOMPHOCARPUS edition 🌿🌿🧐

These milkweed species are not native to north America, but they are fast growing annuals in our northern garden. (We've grown both successfully in Minnesota)

They're commonly grown in Australia and New Zealand. Though similar, they have different growth habits and the pods are the easiest way to differentiate them.

The Giant Swan Plant is often referred to as 'hairy balls' for obvious reasons I won't go into (don't shoot the messenger)

I am suggesting a new common name for Swan plant (#2) that is also derived from the shape/appearance of the pod, but a more family-friendly common name, I hope you'll agree? 

1. Gomphocarpus Physocarpus (Giant Swan Plant- click to see the peculiarly-shaped pods)

This has been used as both host plant and nectar source for monarchs in our Minnesota garden.

2. Gomphocarpus Fruticosus (Swan Plant- click to see bolded common name suggestion 🍋‍🟩 )

We have not planted this variety for a few years, but it was used as a host plant in our northern garden.

Coming Up Next

On Saturday, I'll be back with a special easter rain garden edition on growing milkweed…under water ❓🌱 🐇

Happy April Showers ☔️ ☀️🌷🤗

Tony your Butterfly Guide