New York - McMullen House Garden Shop

Light pink flowers of four-leaf milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia) in a wooded setting.

11 Irresistible Elmira, NY Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) to Grow for Butterflies

by RobSilphium
February 5, 2024May 8, 2025
16 min read

There are eleven species of native or nearly native Elmira milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) that can be grown for butterflies and other insects. Milkweeds are an…

Close-up of white flower cluster of Red-ring milkweed (Asclepias variegata), a New York milkweed.

10 New York Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) to Grow for Monarch Butterflies

by RobSilphium
February 23, 2023May 8, 2025
14 min read

There are ten species of New York milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and one species, red milkweed (Asclepias rubra) that used to be present in New York and is considered “historic” to the state. Milkweeds are an important host species for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies. The Monarch butterfly in particular uses the cardenolides found in the milky sap of milkweeds to give an unpleasant taste to predators. These plants are also an important nectar source to all insects visiting your pollinator garden.