Description

Plant these for Monarch butterflies!

*Please note: Asclepias species are slow to emerge in the spring.  If your order contains any of milkweeds, your order may be delayed until late May to early June, depending on the weather and this year’s germination rates.*

Key Information:

Soil: Mesic (Medium) – Xeric (Dry)
Sun: Full Sun – Part Sun
Height: 6-16″
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Season: July – September

More Details:

Suggested Uses: Plains Milkweed is a short upland milkweed that grows well on sandy and gravelly soils. It can be aggressive in highly fertile soils with good soil texture. A great restoration plant, as well as a wonderful plant for attracting butterflies in the butterfly garden!

Native Range: Native to the Great Plains. Not quite native to Minnesota, the furthest east the range stretches is to western North and South Dakota.

Pollinators: Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed species (Asclepias). Plains Milkweed is a larval host for the Monarch butterfly and several moths. It is also well-loved by bees, including the federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis). It also attracts many other bees and butterflies.

Flowers: Each flower has 5 recurved petals around a central crown. They bloom in 1-2″ clusters.

Leaves: Leaves are linear and densely spaced along the stem, sometimes appearing whorled though they are alternate.

Interesting Facts:

Other Uses: Asclepias spp. are toxic to humans and grazers.

Name: The name Asclepias is from the name of the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios.

More information: USDA Plant profile