In previous years, I have seen Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, for sale at Pike's. You might want to call ahead first. It is an annual but it usually sets some seed and you'll have babies next year.

I think that the native orange milkweed is a little harder to find (Asclepias tuberosa). Call Ladyslipper Nursery in Woodstock/Canton. I have had caterpillars eat both kinds. I also have swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), but have a hard time keeping it going and the caterpillars don't seem to like it as much. And in the really tasteless category, I have some white milkweed that I got on rescues in wooded areas and they NEVER eat that! Go figure.

efam where do you live? I through out seedlings of Tropical milkweed by the handfuls because mine reseed every where. I can dig some up for you if you would like. I am in Cumming.

I had some from Home Depot, but the catepillars (Monarch) didn't seem to like it.

I planted some from seed a few years ago and about two weeks ago had many catepillar on them as they were just leafing out. Most of the catepillars disappeared, not sure if they cocooned or the birds got them. I had one fat one left munching away. I have seeds I saved from last year, but I never planted them, but I will this year.

BTW, the flowers were pink.

I bought Asclepias tuberosa at Pike's a few years ago and the Monarchs do eat it up, I am suprised that it hasn't seeded itself around.
I think I saw some at Pike the other day.

Wow! Thanks for all of the responses!
I called Pike and asked if they had any milkweed, they said that they did, so I asked what variety. After holding for 10 minutes, they responded, "Pink and orange". I was going to say that I want the scientific name, not the color, but I had people at my desk, so I let them go.
I sent my DH to get some, and it ended up being the swamp kind. Oh well...we'll see if they like it.
Kathy, I live in Loganville, about 2 minutes from the Grower's Outlet. I know that I won't be in Cumming anytime soon, so maybe you can send me some seeds if you have any extra. Thanks for the offer!

If you don't find the milkweed variety you want (or even if you do but want something else for variety) you might want to try some butterfly weed [Asclepias tuberosa]. I started some from seed a couple years ago and last week, presto:

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Wonderful photo and congratulations.

try this website for relevant local info

Here is a link that might be useful: Monarchs across Georgia

We planted some butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) a couple years ago and were a bit apprehensive a few weeks ago when a huge crop of monarch caterpillars showed up to dine. They nibbled those plants right down to the stems! But not to worry-- the caterpillars went off to do their thing and the butterfly weed, clearly an old hand at these sorts of situations, grew right back and is blooming even now.

JPool...he's so cute!! What is in your butterfly garden? I frequent the butterfly garden forum, but I don't remember seeing anyone from Georgia. What does well for you?

I'm going to go looking for the Asclepias tuberosa this weekend. I love Monarchs and even though I didn't have any host plants last year, they sure did love my nectar plants.

I have parsley (Eastern Swallowtails), Passion Vine (Gulf Fritteriaries) and Milkweed (Monarchs). I had some Monarch catepillars earlier this year, I hope they were able to cocoon. I've got one on the parsley too. Sometimes the birds get them, can't help that.

efam:
I too mostly have nectar plants. At present the only larval food plants I'm cultivating are the butterfly weed, parsley & fennel, and asters, all of which are easy. I'd like to add more catepillar food plants too. However,I've got an old field/orchard adjacent to the backyard that I once kept mowed but now it's all grown up in a variety of native plants for the butterflys (my excuse for no longer giving this area much maintenance). That's where this skipper was sitting on guard a hour ago. Anybody sharp enough on butterfly species to identify skippers?
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Asclepias currasavica seems to attract a lot more caterpillars than the Asclepias tuberosa. I have had both for years and most years the caterpillars miss the tuberosa completely.
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But they sure do like that Parsley too!!!!

Vroomp I recieved a 6 pack of seedlings of Asclepias currasavica from you at a trade (the first one I eer attended) and I am still feeding the Monarchs with the offspring. They reseed like crazy. And I agree I don't think I have had any monarchs on my Asclepias tuberosa they all prefer the other. Efam I will see if I have any seeds but I may have given it all away.

WOW!!! What great photos....you guys are making me crave milkweed at 2:45 am

I too, have hundreds of seeds left for A. curassavica if anyone wants any.

Thanks Kathy for looking! I would love some seeds Vroomp! I will send you an email with my address!!