Hi, I'm so glad you are growing milkweed. I wish more people would grow it. I've seen a big decline of monarchs in recent years. It really upsets me that milkweed growing along our rural roads gets routinely mowed down.

What type of milkweed are you growing? I grow common milkweed (A. Syriaca) that I started from seed (winter sowed) 4 years ago. I think I had 6 plants. I didn't get blooms on many of my young plants the first two years. I found this quote in the Xerces Society's Milkweed Guide, "Plants may produce seed the first year, but years 2-5 will produce the most seed. "

Milkweed plants will die back in winter and return the next spring. They should be taller, too. Common Milkweed will send out a long root system that new plants will shoot up from the following year. Some 10 feet away.

About the blooms & seedpods from milkweed. I don't think milkweed are sterile. My plants bloomed early this summer but I am seeing some in my rural area starting to bloom now. Yours may be late bloomers. But, I'm guessing that they are just one or two years old and not ready to bloom yet. My few plants have multiplied into at least 40 plants in a 20 foot area. The blooms were plentiful this year with lots of honey bees visiting. I grow lots of native plants nearby so the monarchs have lots of nectar & host plants, too. If you need seeds I have lots to share.

I saw a few monarchs laying eggs on my milkweeds this week. (zone 7 MD) I'll be looking for caterpillars soon. I had lots of caterpillars last year. I am hoping to see more butterflies hatching this fall. It is very rewarding. Good Luck & I hope you enjoy yours, too.