Berkeley Gardens21 Dec 2011 12:23 pm
The butterflies may not be out in force this time of year, but the Butterfly Milkweeds are.

Asclepias “Silky Gold”
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December 21st, 2011 at 2:21 pm
How do you keep the horrible yellow aphid creatures off your asclepias? I planted some this year and it’s been a constant battle ever since!
December 21st, 2011 at 2:25 pm
It’s a constant battle. We hose them off and then spray with neem.
December 22nd, 2011 at 4:33 pm
_ants themselves don’t do much damage to your plants, however they protect and farm herds of aphids, cottony scales, mealybugs, soft-type scales, and whiteflies. Ants save the eggs of these insects in their nests over the winter and bring them out in the spring. These insects produce honeydew poop while feeding on your plants which the ants just love. If you closely observe ants streaming up a tree and tending their aphids, you will see them take their legs and rub the aphids which stimulates them to produce the honeydew. This activity is known as “milking” the aphids…