A genus of perennials, famous for attracting butterflies, particularly the Monarch.
Milkweed is also known for its milky white sap.
Propagation is by division or seed. Soak seed in hot water for 24 hours before sowing.
Asclepias curassavica ( Blood-Flower )
A very fast growing, woody based perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 4 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native from the southern U.S. to South America.
The leaves, up to 8 ( rarely over 5 ) inches in length, are glossy green.
The deep red and orange flowers are borne in clusters.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 ( 7 on heavily mulched and protected sites ). Without a heavy winter mulch, it will not survive below 10 F.
Asclepias eriocarpa ( Indian Milkweed )
Asclepias exaltata ( White Woodland Milkweed )
Also called Poke Milkweed. A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 6 feet, that is native to rich woods and forest edges in eastern North America ( Minnesota to Maine; south to Iowa to Georgia ).
The ovate leaves, up to 12 x 4 inches, are deep green.
The nodding, white flowers are borne in large umbels during summer.
They are followed by upright pods.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade.
Asclepias fascicularis
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 4.5 feet.
Asclepias hallii
A large perennial, reaching a maximum height of 4.5 feet, that is native to mountains in Colorado.
The purplish-pink flowers are borne on umbels of up to 60.
Asclepias hirtella
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 4.5 feet.
Asclepias incarnata ( Swamp Milkweed )
Also called Red Milkweed. An upright perennial, reaching up to 7 x 3.5 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, that is native to North America ( from Utah to Nova Scotia; south to Florida ). It is sturdy in habit and does not need staking.
The oppositely arranged, narrow, lance-shaped leaves, up to 8 inches in length, are deep green.
The lightly vanilla-scented, deep rosy-red flowers are borne on flat-topped panicles mid summer into early autumn.
The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
They are followed by attractive, narrow, hanging, seed pods up to 3 inches in length.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun to partial shade, requiring moist to wet soil. Deer resistant.
* photos taken on July 17 2012 in Baltimore, MD
* video found on Youtube
* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario
* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario
Ice Ballet
Reaches a maximum size of 5 x 3.5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet with pure white flowers borne during summer, lasting over a longer period than regular A. incarnata.
Soulmate
* photo taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario
Asclepias latifolia ( Broad Leaved Milkweed )
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 40 inches.
Asclepias linearis ( Pineleaf Milkweed )
A shrubby perennial, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, that is native to desert regions of California and Arizona; south into Mexico.
The fine foliage is needle-like.
The small, white flowers are borne in clusters up to 2 inches across, over a long season.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 in full sun.
Asclepias purpurascens ( Purple Milkweed )
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5.5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to eastern North America ( from South Dakota to southern Ontario to New Hampshire; south to eastern Kansas to Virginia ). It is similar to A. syrica but less aggressive and shade tolerant.
The broad oval leaves, up to 8 x 4 inches, are deep green.
The deep purplish-pink flowers are borne over a period lasting up to 4 weeks during late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade. Tolerant of dry shade.
Asclepias rubra
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5.5 feet.
Asclepias speciosa ( Showy Milkweed )
A fast growing to invasive perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 3.3 ( rarely over 4 ) feet.
The leaves, up to 8 inches in length, are densely white-felted beneath.
The flowers are purplish-pink.
Has potential for future commercial cultivation for biofuels, yielding up to 400 gallons of methanol and 250 gallons of ethanol per acre. After removing these chemicals, the remains of the plant can be used as livestock feed and are nutritionally equal to Alfalfa.
Hardy zones 3 to 8
Asclepias subulata
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet.
Asclepias sullivantii
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 40 inches, that is endangered in the wild.
Asclepias syriaca ( Milkweed )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 5 feet, that is native to dry grasslands in North America from Saskatchewan to New Brunswick; south to Kansas to Georgia.
The paired, broad oblong leaves, up to 12 x 7 inches, are green above, gray woolly beneath.
The flowers, up to 0.25 inches across, are borne on dense umbels, up to 4 inches across, during early to late summer.
Hummingbirds and honey bees love the nectar rich flowers.
Few insects feed on Milkweed other than the Monarch Butterfly which is dependent on it.
The milky sap was used as an antiseptic wound dressing by the natives.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil.
* photos taken on June 24 2011 in Columbia, MD
* photo of unknown internet source
* photo taken on July 10 2013 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario
Asclepias tuberosa ( Butterflyweed )
A clumping, bushy, woody-based perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5o inches x 4 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to central and eastern North America ( North Dakota to New Hampshire; south to Arizona to Florida ). It is endangered in most northeastern states it resides in.
Butterfly Weed is late to emerge during spring and planting with bulbs such as Crocuss is recommended for a longer season of color.
The showy, bright orange flowers are borne in clusters, up to 5 inches across, all summer long. It is a repeat bloomer unlike most other Milkweeds.
The flowers attract butterflies and birds.
They are followed by seed pods up to 6 inches in length, that are green.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on deep, sandy, well drained soil with added organic matter. Tolerant of heat and drought and actually prefers to be somewhat dry once established. It is also tolerant of excessive wind and even fire and is not eaten by deer. Difficult to transplant due to deep taproot.
Deadheading will extend the bloom season.
* photos taken on Jun 14 2011 in Baltimore County, MD
* photo of unknown internet source
* photo taken on June 20 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 3 2012 in London, Ontario
* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
Clay
A form that thrives on heavy clay ( unusual for A. tuberosa ) and in fact originated on a heavy clay prairie.
Gay Butterflies
Reaches up to 3 feet, with a mixture of yellow, orange and red flowers.
Hello Yellow
Similar except for intense bright yellow flowers. Looks stunning when massed, great for commerical landscape projects.
* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europes premier plant nursery
Western Gold Mix
Vigorous with luxuriant dense deep green foliage and deep golden-orange flowers borne on large, dense heads.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, tolerating alkaline soil.
Asclepias vestita
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 feet.
Asclepias verticillata
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3 feet, that is native to North America.
The dense foliage is long and needle-like.
The sweetly fragrant flowers are borne during mid summer.
Asclepias viridiflora
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 32 inches.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in full sun.
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