Yes, Monarch's Promise was from a sport. We did nothing to the plant to create it. We simply propagated it for a year to make sure it was a true form, not changing after several 'generations'. We then sent it to Hort Couture to trial. They had it two years and confirmed that it was true in growth and a viable plant.
If we didn't patent it, we couldn't share it because we knew that someone else would patent it and, at that point, we wouldn't be able to grow it. To date, we have well over $5,000 in patenting the plant. We had no idea how complicated it would be.
We have tried it with Monarch and Queen caterpillars in our lab for three years. It's the same as any other tropical milkweed. We've raised many generations of Monarchs on it.
In our garden, we've had it planted for three years. Monarch and Queen butterflies lay eggs on it, eat it, and pupate/emerge with no problem.
These are photos that someone posted on facebook when they bought some Monarch's Promise. I have permission to share the photos.
I'll be more than glad to answer any questions about this variegated milkweed.
