![]() Showy milkweed is native to the western United States and parts of Canada, and for this reason, they grow best in USDA zones 4-9. Then you’ll be enjoying it and the butterflies it attracts for years to come! Sun and TemperatureĪsclepias speciosa requires a full sun environment that receives 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Source: Bear Paw BattlefieldĪsclepias speciosa is relatively care-free once established – other gardeners with experience can attest! There are a few things to note to help you pick the right spot in your garden. Showy Milkweed Care As showy milkweed ages, the foliage starts to yellow. These seeds require stratification and therefore need to be winter sown in order to guarantee germination in the spring. To start new plants, collect seeds at the end of the season and sow them directly into the ground in the late fall. It is a perennial in its native habitat, and though it dies back to the ground each winter, it comes back to life in early spring. Showy milkweed is native to North America and can be grown in USDA zones 4-9. Showy milkweed grows in an upright columnar habit with broad blue-green leaves. Common milkweed flowers are smaller and more rounded. However, showy milkweed flowers have a more pronounced star shape consisting of five hoods with prominent hooks. They both have central flower parts comprised of spherical clusters of small pink flowers. Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is often mistaken for common milk weed. Grows upright, reaching 4ft tall, spreads via underground rhizomes Source: Thayne Tuason Common NameĪpocynaceae (commonly referred to as the “dogbane” family because of their toxicity to dogs Quick Care Guide Showy milkweed flowers live up to their name. Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew (Spinosad).Good Products At Amazon For Growing Showy Milkweed: If you’re lucky enough to live inside of the migratory paths, then you may also be lucky enough to spot monarch caterpillars on your plants and watch them transform into beautiful butterflies. It’s also worth noting that, as with other foods, some people have a sensitivity to milkweed, so it’s best to try it in small amounts if it’s your first time eating it.ĭespite its toxicity, the benefits of adding these nectar plants to your gardens are worth it! They provide pollinators and beneficial insects with much-needed habitat above all else, they support monarchs as their larval host! A quick Google search will help you determine whether or not you live in a monarch migration path and which milkweed is native to your area. When in doubt, consult an expert, or don’t consume it at all. Treat this as you would treat foraging for wild mushrooms. It is worth noting to use extreme caution when choosing to consume milkweed as it can easily be mistaken for other plants in the dogbane family which are unsafe to consume. Once properly cooked (blanched), they can safely be eaten. ![]() That being said, despite its toxicity, milkweed is actually edible! It is only toxic in its raw form. It should be planted in an area not easily accessible to small children or pets. There is some caution to be used when choosing a site for your milkweed as it is toxic to people and pets alike. ![]() By late summer, the blooms will all be spent, and the energy in the plant will be focused on producing seeds and seed pods. Their star-shaped flowers in round clusters are reminiscent of fireworks and generally begin to bloom in mid-summer. Monarch caterpillars deploy this same chemical defense strategy which they carry into adulthood, making monarch butterflies toxic as well.Īs the name showy milkweed would suggest, the milkweed blossoms are ornate and add a stunning pop of color to your butterfly garden. They eat milkweed, which in turn makes them toxic to anything that would attempt to eat them. Milkweed beetles evolved to utilize milkweed’s toxic milky sap to their benefit. If the population of milkweed beetles becomes too large, they can easily be picked off of plants and squished. These beetles don’t bite or sting and won’t do much harm other than munching a few leaves. It also attracts milkweed beetles, named as such because they exclusively feed on milkweed plants. These fragrant flowers attract beneficial insects such as butterflies, hummingbirds, honey bees, and wild native bees. There are over 100 species of milkweed plants that are native plants in North America, so chances are that you’ll be able to find a native milkweed species to add to your butterfly garden! Showy milkweed is native to the western half of the United States. This is especially true with social media movements and many organizations offering free milkweed seeds to help encourage the establishment of this perennial flowering plant. Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is well known as a host plant to monarch butterflies.
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