Texas Gardening: Tropical Milkweed Comeback?, 0 by debnes_dfw_tx

debnes_dfw_tx wrote:
I wouldn't have believed it either, but it happened. A milkweed plant out back (south side) behind the kitchen actually came back from last year. I had to inspect the root to be sure, and sure enough it was attached to the old wood.

Because of the really cold and snowy season we had, it would have been a big mystery, a phenomenon even, except we had a slow hot water leak for the last 2 months of winter which evidently kept this Asclepias plant alive.

I had to dig it up anyway, needing the plant for Monarchs at the butterfly garden I manage at our local elementary school. So I had to take a photo record while I was at it.

Just shows to go ya, there is ALWAYS something good in every situation. Having to locate a hot water leak, and get it repaired took some time. Meanwhile we were turning the system off and on to use for showers, dishes, and laundry, was a real throw back to what people had to do before indoor water heaters. We have a whole new appreciation for such amenities now. A nice little surprise to welcome the Monarch and Queen butterflies with an established host for which to lay their eggs. Sure I will have lots of this plant species for summer, however this one will make me giggle every time I look at it.

Deb

Here is a picture of this determined little plant...Ta da! A. curassavica

This message was edited Apr 13, 2011 10:05 AM