Is tweedia hard to grow?
Grown as an annual, tweedia will tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, but prefers full sun and moist soils. It is also wise to plant this annual in a sheltered location away from heavy wind and rain to protect its delicate flowers. Tweedia (Oxypetalum coeruleum) needs to be watered regularly, but only when the soil feels dry. It prefers approximately 1 inch of water per week, which can be provided by rain or manual watering. Avoid leaving the roots of this species waterlogged, as this could cause root rot.Tweedia is a short-lived perennial in zones 9-10. Grow as an annual elsewhere. For cut flowers, sear stem ends to prevent wilt. Excellent vase life.
Where is the best place to plant showy milkweed?
Most milkweed species do best in full sunlight, so choose an open area with lots of sun. Plant the seedlings 1-2 feet apart. The seedlings should be watered frequently; mulch can be used to help hold in the moisture around the plants. For most parts of the west, planting native milkweed is recommended as a key strategy for helping monarchs. However, we recommend against planting milkweed in areas where it did not occur historically, including near monarch overwintering sites, to avoid disrupting monarchs’ natural behavior.Is There a Downside to Milkweed? While milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies, it has some potential downsides: Some species spread aggressively – Common Milkweed can take over garden beds due to its rhizomatous roots. It is toxic to pets and livestock – Care should be taken when planting near grazing areas.Common Milkweed is easy to plant from seed in either the fall or the spring. It may take two years to see flowers if you plant this way: the first year, the Common Milkweed is focused on growing roots.It is recommended to prune the milkweed stalks to about 6 inches in height during the fall and winter months to discourage monarchs from establishing winter-breeding colonies. Cutting back the milkweed will also help to eliminate OE spores that may be present on the plant.