Plant Give-Away

Members and friends of Christ the King have been growing milkweed and other pollinator-friendly plants for YOUR GARDEN. 

Read below about how you can receive your FREE plants on Saturday, June 13, 2020 from 11 am - 2 pm.

​Still have questions? Contact us
  • Growing Plants for You
  • Give-Away Details
  • Plant List
  • Pre-Order Form
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Members and friends of Christ the King grew milkweed and other pollinator-friendly plants for distribution at Monarch Fest.
We used the Winter Seed Sowing technique to get the seeds in the "ground" in January. ​

​
How To Winter Sow Seeds in Milk Jugs 
 - Cold Stratification
Pam's Pretty Plants
Is there a list showing Which plants are available?
Yes, you can find a PLANT LIST for the plants which are being distributed on the tab above. The list includes an image of each plant with information about light requirements, height, bloom period, moisture requirements, and general notes.
How do I know which plants will work best in my garden?
Think about where you would like to put your plant and look at the plant information shown on the plant list. Make sure that your selected plant will do well with the amount of sun it will receive, the space available for it to grow, and the moisture requirements it needs. You can get other garden design tips HERE.
How many plants can I receive?
You can choose up to 2 milkweed plants AND 2 other pollinator-friendly plants.
Can I pre-order plants?
​​​Yes, go to the PRE-ORDER FORM found on the tab above and reserve your plants. 
The deadline for placing a pre-order is Thursday, June 11.
Please note that there are a limited number of plants available. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while quantities last.
When and where are plants being distributed?
Plants will be available for curbside pick-up at Christ the King on Saturday, June 13 from 11 am - 2 pm. Get directions
I don't want to Pre-order plants. Can I just show up on distribution day?
Yes, just come to Christ the King on Saturday, June 13 from 11 am - 2 pm and choose your plants then.
​Please note that there are a limited number of plants available. Pre-orders will be filled first, and the remaining plants will be distributed on June 13 on a first-come, first-served basis, while quantities last.
What COVID-19 related health precautions are you taking?
The health and safety of our volunteers and community members are very important!
  • All of our volunteers will be wearing masks and keeping the recommended social distancing requirements.
  • There is no need for you to get out of your car on distribution day. We will bring your plants to you.
See the information below to see the plants which are being distributed for FREE on Saturday, June 13, 2020.
​Note that there are limited number of plants available. ​They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while quantities last.

 Milkweed Varieties (Acslepias) - host plants for monarch butterfly

Butterfly Weed Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 1-2 ft
Bloom Period: June-August
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium
  • Deer resistant.
  • Threatened and endangered in 5 states.
  • Beneficial to bees and butterflies
  • Host plant for:
    • Monarch Butterfly caterpillars
    • Unexpected Cycnia moths
    • Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
  • Has a thick woody taproot that goes several feet deep. 
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 3-5 ft
Bloom Period: June-August
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium
  • Deer resistant.
  • Beneficial to many pollinators
  • Host plant for:
    • Monarch Butterfly caterpillars
    • Milkweed Tussock Moths
    • Unexpected Cycnia moths
    • Delicate Cycnia moths
  • Has a deep tap root.
  • Choose location carefully, spreads by seeds and underground runners.
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata​)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 3-4 ft
Bloom Period: June-August
Moisture Req.: Medium to Wet
  • Deer resistant
  • Host plant for Monarch Butterfly caterpillars.
  • Beneficial to numerous pollinators.
  • Sweet fragrance.
  • The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Colonies of plants occasionally develop.
Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata​)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 2 ft
Bloom Period: July-September
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium
  • Deer resistant.
  • Threatened or special concern in 2 states.
  • Beneficial to bees and butterflies.
  • Host plant for:
    • Monarch Butterfly caterpillars
    • Delicate Cycnia moth
  • The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous.
  • Choose location carefully, spreads by seeds and underground runners.

Pollinator-Friendly Perennials - host plants for a wide variety of insects

Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata​)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 3-4 ft
Bloom Period: July-August
Moisture Req.:  Medium to Wet
  • Rabbits enjoy eating these.  Deer?
  • Beneficial to many pollinators and birds.
  • Monarch Favorite.
  • Host plant for:
    • Liatris Flower Moth
    • Liatris Borer Moth.
  • The root system consists of a corm with shallow fibrous roots. Colonies of plants are often formed by means of clonal offsets.
Early Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides​)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 5 ft
Bloom Period: June-Sept
Moisture Req.: Medium to Wet
  • Deer Resistant
  • Easy to grow.
  • Beneficial to many pollinators and seeds provide food for birds.
  • Host plant for two species of butterflies and moths.
  • The root system is fibrous.
Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon Digitalis)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 3 ft
Bloom Period: May - June
Moisture Req.: Medium 
  • Deer resistant
  • Beneficial to many kinds of bees and hummingbirds.
  • Host plant for ten species of moths and butterflies.
  • Easy to grow from seed.
  • The root system is fibrous and short rhizomatous often producing new plants near the base.
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica​)
​Light: Full Sun to Shade
Height: 2-3 ft
Bloom Period: July - September
Moisture Req.: Medium to Wet
  • Deer resistant
  • Endangered- extirpated in three states.
  • Beneficial to butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and songbirds.
  • Host plant for the Pink-washed Looper Moth.
  • Not a long-lived plant. Parent is replaced by seeded offspring.
  • The root system consists of a central taproot, from which occasional offshoots are produced. 
Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata​)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 2 ft
Bloom Period:  May-June
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium
  • Deer resistant
  • Beneficial to birds, bees and butterflies.
  • Host plant for six species of butterflies and moths.
  • Extremely easy to grow. 
  • The root system is fibrous and short rhizomatous
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium​)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 1-3 ft
Bloom Period: July-Oct
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium 
  • The seeds are of high value for song birds.
  • Meadowlarks nest in areas where Little Bluestem grows.
  • Host plant for :
    • several variety of skippers
    • grasshoppers
    • Prairie Walking Stick
  • The dusky skipper butterfly caterpillars overwinter in tube tents.
  • Clump forming. The root system is fibrous. 
Narrowleaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium​) - NOT AVAILABLE
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 2 ft
Bloom Period: June-August
Moisture Req.: Medium 
  • Deer Resistant
  • Beneficial to many pollinators.
  • Host plant for five species of moths and butterflies.
  • The root system consists of a taproot and short rhizomes.
  • Spreads by forming colonies of closely bunched plants.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea​)
Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 3-4 ft
Bloom Period: Late June-July
Moisture Req.: Medium 
  • Deer resistant
  • Endangered or extirpated in 2 states
  • Beneficial for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and songbirds.
  • Host plant for:
    • Silvery Checkerspot
    • several varieties of moths.
  • The root system is fibrous. Dense colonies may form from the rhizomes. 
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea​)
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height:  12-20 inches
Bloom Period:   July-August
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium            
  • Deer resistant
  • Endangered /extirpated in 4 states including Ohio.
  • Beneficial to bees and butterflies.
  • Host plant for:
    • Dogface Sulphur
    • Reakirt's Blue butterflies
  • Increases soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.
  • Has a stout taproot that runs deep into the ground.
Sky Blue Aster (Aster azureus) - NOT AVAILABLE
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 1-4 ft
Bloom Period: August to October
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium 
  • Endangered or of special concern in 2 states.
  • Provides nectar late in the season for many pollinators including bees and butterflies.
  • Beneficial to birds also.
  • Host plant for :
    • Silvery Checkerspot
    • Pearl Crescent
    • many moths
    • grasshoppers 
    • Blatchley's Walkingstick
  • The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous
Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm) (Monarda fistulosa)
​Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Height: 3-4 ft
Bloom Period: June-August
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium
  • Deer resistant
  • Threatened in Rhode Island.
  • Beneficial to songbirds, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
  • Host plant to eleven species of butterflies and moths.
  • Not long-lived. Parent is replaced by seeded offspring.
  • Spreads aggressively.
  • Susceptible to powdery mildew. 
Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis​) - NOT AVAILABLE
​Light: Full to Part Sun
Height: 2 ft
Bloom Period: April to July
Moisture Req.: Dry to Medium, likes acid soil
  • Endangered or extirpated in seven states.
  • Beneficial to Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Bees.
  • Host plant for:
    •  Karner Blue Butterfly
    •  Frosted Elfin Butterfly
    • Wild Indigo Duskywing Skipper
    • Persius Duskywing Skippers
    • and several moths
  • Has a taproot with short rhizomes.
  • Increases soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.
Complete the form below to place your order for FREE plants.
There are limited number of plants available. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while quantities last.​

Plants will be available for curbside pickup at Christ the King on Saturday, June 13 from 11 am - 2 pm.
    Choose up to two milkweed plants - select the varieties you want.
    Choose up to two pollinator-friendly plants - select the varieties you want. 
Christ the King Lutheran Church
7393 Dimmick Rd., West Chester, OH  45069
Office: (513) 777-4370