Bloom Color

Common milkweed Interesting Notes

This favorite of the Monarch butterfly produces a profusion of sweet-scented lavender flowers in mid-summer. The caterpillars feast on the leaves, stocking up for the day when they will become butterflies and migrate to Mexico for the winter. The milkweed's pods are also a favorite for dried arrangements. Grows readily from seed, and thrives on almost any well-drained soil, even tough clay or dry sand. Spreading rapidly by rhizomes, it is best planted in a large area with other grasses and flowers. Grows to two to four feet tall. Prairie Nursery

Asclepias syriaca Growing and Maintenance Tips

This milkweed grows best in full sun and average to well-drained soil with no irrigation. Fertilizer will accelerate growth, but is not necessary for optimal performance. It is an excellent component of a native meadow or butterfly garden and will tolerate extreme conditions such as a west facing slope.