THE ONE WEED EVERY GARDEN MUST GROW

Here are more varieties of these great “weeds”

Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Milkweed seed pods are a sight to behold in autumn when the wind gets a hold of them. The pods dry, then crack, and dozens of seeds lift into the air like cotton. In fact, during World War II, milkweed fluff was used to fill pillows for GIs. And the milky sap can be applied to remove warts. Is there anything milkweed can’t do? Try this plant in your garden and you won’t regret it.

Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata, zones 3 to 6). Here’s a closeup of swamp milkweed in bloom, with a bumblebee coming in for nectar. The flowers can be pollinated only if an insect slips a leg deep down into a specific spot of the bloom, which isn’t often. (You can use that bit of knowledge on your next date night when the conversation lags.)