Hi MaxG- I'm afraid I'm no help whatsoever, having only gotten here about a month ago myself. I'm sure others will have offerings, but I just wanted to welcome you to the blast furnace, lol. If you are out and about right now, the Red Yucca (Heperaloe parviflora) is going to seed - they're a kind of grassy looking plant with coral spikes of blooms. I'd wait until the seed heads turn brown and harvest some of those puppies. Tough as nails, nice splash of color, very xeric. Have you tried your hand at propagating plants yet? I'd put a pair of clippers in your glovebox and when it seems right, grab a piece of some pretty stuff that you see out there, and stick it in a baggie with a wet paper towel until you get home. It often speeds up the process of growing stuff, too, when you don't have to worry about germination, etc. Best of luck with your gray water system - I'm working the DH hard for an outdoor shower for the same purpose. I used to use my wash water too, but the washing machine is internal to this house, boo. HTH!

Right now in my garden (starting 2 days ago)I have seed 2 Red Admirals, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Monarch, at least 50 Grass Skippers, 15-20 Long-Tailed Skippers, 1 Pipevine Swallowtail, 4 Southern Dogfaces, 2 Great Southern Whites, 1 White Peacock, 3 Large Orange Sulphurs, and I think 1 Yellow Angled Sulphur! With a lot of Milkweeds can you imagine all the butterflies I would see!? I have an acre backyard. I am also looking for Passifloras and Pipevines too.

I've seen that reference at Las Pilitas, it's absurd! I think their motivation in posting it is probably genuine, well intentioned, but likely "grow native" mentality taken too far. I'm all for growing native, and avoiding aggressive non-natives -- but it gets ridiculous when you encounter gardeners who won't entertain talk of non-native plants or entertain a trade for the sole reason of nativity. I know that different species of milkweed have different levels and combinations of poisons found in milkweeds. Particularly the Monarch species with it's extreme migratory patterns, lay eggs on all species of Asclepias genus North America, and many other species from other genera of milkweeds -- including species not native to this part of the world. Successfully, I might add. Plus the presence of Monarchs in northern South America -- uh, completely different milkweed species. Naturally occurring and even imported dogbanes (like a Mandevilla) that confuse female egg laying Monarchs and other Danaus genus, or Danaidae family at large, to lay on their foliage that the caterpillar can't survive on are 1000% more threatening than a mature butterfly being eaten by a bird. I've seen studies of egg lays on controlled species, and although they do give insight, I highly doubt that these studies can be applied to the real world in any direct way. I grow a variety of Asclepias species, and a few other milkweeds, and I've observed plant species that are thought to be preferential, to be completely eaten to the bare stems one year, and completely ignored the next. I suspect that maturity of the plant has a lot more to do with attracting eggs than does the species. I've even noticed that where I put plants in the yard has a small influence on attracting eggs laid to a species. I did see a study once where they found a species of milkweed beetle was not capable of long term survival on a species milkweed from a different region of the country. The studies conclusion suggested it could be due to the difference in the poison levels or possibly the difference in the growth habits. In any case, the beetles don't migrate on the scale the Monarchs do, or even like the Queen or Soldier butterflies roam.

Randy, I'd love to have some, too. I have several species I've planted, so can send you some seeds in fall. I know for sure that my A. asperula is up (2 plants). This is also commonly called Antelope Horns. It is native to Oklahoma, as are the other species I'm growing. You'd probably have about as good a luck just tossing them out in the field. The seeds I grew didn't seem to like the potting soil very well. Once I got them in the ground, they took off like a house afire. I will have A. syriaca (common), A. viridiflora (green milkweed), A. incarnata (Swamp--heehee, we can really use that now!); A. verticillata (whorled milkweed), and A. purpurescens (purple milkweed). You're too kind! I hope we have increased the desire in other Oklahomans to grow milkweed and enjoy these beautiful butterflies. Seen anymore moths, lately? Are you raising the Walnut Sphinx? I keep checking my saplings (some are about 5' tall) in hopes of finding one. I also check the Elderberry to see if I ever get a Cecropia. Susan