There was a big trend to planting tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) on the West Coast. Originally, it was considered a good thing. Now, because the plan

There was a big trend to planting tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) on the West Coast. Originally, it was considered a good thing. Now, because the plant's a perennial in this climate and is a good place for spreading OE spores, it's considered a bad thing. Some people advocate growing it because it's fast-growing, robust, and provides plentiful food. My understanding is that, if you do plant it, cut it well down in winter to prevent the spread of OE. In my own experience in California, the Monarchs really prefer to nectar and lay eggs on tropical rather than the native narrow-leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis). We've been purging our garden of the tropical anyway. There are also some milkweed adjacent non-natives that they sort of like, e.g., Gomphocarpus physocarpus (aka Asclepias physocarpa). Again, my understanding is that the jury's out as to whether it's a good plant to have around for the Monarchs. It ceryainly is a striking plant that gets a lot of attention!