Description

Plant these for the 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: Hydric (Moist) – Mesic (Medium) – Xeric (Dry). Drought tolerant.
Sun: Full Sun
Height: 2-6 feet
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Season: July – August

More Details:

Suggested Uses: Common Milkweed is a beautiful plant that will attract lots of wonderful pollinators to your area. Can reseed readily so give it lots of space or consider planting A. sullivantii or A. speciosa which are less aggressive. Very adaptable to different moisture conditions.

Native Range: Native throughout the Midwest and Northeast U.S. Native throughout the state of Minnesota.

Pollinators: Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed species (Asclepias). Common 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). Well loved and visited by a variety of bees and butterflies.

Flowers: There are about 15,130 flowers to each flower cluster. Each flower has 5 recurved petals around a central crown.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite and ovate to elliptical. They are slightly hairy on the top and very hairy on the bottom. They contain a white, milky sap.

Interesting Facts:

Asclepias spp. are generally toxic to humans and grazers.

Other Uses: It can be used as a fiber for cordage. Cut plants in the fall and split open to reveal the long fibers.
More Info: Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves. The toxins in the leaves make the Monarch caterpillar distasteful to predators.
Name: The name Asclepias is from the name of the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios.
Other Names: Virginia-silk, algodoncillo, silky swallowwort, herbe ˆ la ouate, Seidenpflanze

More information: USDA Plant profile