Scott,

I doubt the A curassavica aka tropical MW would be offered in plugs because in most growing zones it is considered an annual. I also seriously doubt Perennial MW would grow enough the first year from plugs to provide adequate food for cats. At least, this has been my experience.

It is wonderful of you to grow for the butterflies but the only MW I can think of that would give you good leaf growth for food this season would be A curassavica or A physocarpa. Maybe other forum members can offer additional suggestions.

Mary

Scott,

I don't know of a plug source for A. curassavica, but I find the plants from the ebay seller dogwooderitternet very inexpensive and very nice. They are small but well rooted, and packed well.

I see that he has threevarieties of milkweeds listed right now. He is a very popular supplier to butterfly gardeners and carries a range of host plants and other flora. Dogwoodritternet can be found easily by google-ing.

Also, if you buy one or two large A. curassavica at a garden center, you can take cuttings and start additional plants quite easily. Directions for this can be found on the internet.

I did see that North Creek Nurseries offers A. Incarnata, aka 'swamp' milkweed, a very nice perennial plant for the garden, at 50 plugs for $50 which is a pretty good price. Probably more plugs than you need, but maybe you have some friends who want to garden for butterflies?

Have fun. J.

Here is a link that might be useful: North Creek Nursery

The link below has rooted cuttings of a. curassavica for a little over a dollar each but I've never ordered from them so I can't say how well they would do. As Mary said, it typically grows fast but this type of milkweed is an annual so it won't return next year. Maybe plant some swamp milkweed too. Those would return.

Here is a link that might be useful: ButterflyWorkx