Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
The name describes this flower exactly! It's very showy! Big beautiful clusters of pink flowers form a round globe shape framed by very large, leathery, lance-oval shaped leaves with pink veins. Also as the name implies, this plant exudes a milky sap when cut that is toxic, yet gives the Monarch Caterpillar its poisonous protection from predators.
This plant is slow to grow from seed, and may take many years to reach flowering maturity (mine took 4 years) but the wait is well worth it!! Even if you live outside of the Monarch Butterfly migratory zone this plant is still worth growing. It's rich in nectar and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies (of course!).
Showy Milkweed can grow up to 48 inches tall and 36+ inches wide. It spreads horizontally via rhizomes and can form thick stands when happy. Best to give it some elbow room! Showy Milkweed grows best in full sun in dry-medium dry soil and is tolerant of many different soil types as long as they are well draining. It is Winter deciduous, turning a beautiful golden yellow through the Fall. Showy Milkweed takes its time to emerge in the Spring, so don't despair. Spring growth doesn't show until May in NW Oregon! Flowers appear June-July and continue to flower through August. Giant seed pods form once the flowers fade. These seed pods split open to reveal the fluffiest seeds mass! Beautiful!
Each packet contains 75 seeds and germination instructions are included.
Showy Milkweed at a glance
- Average growth dimensions - 4-6 ft tall x 4 ft wide
- Dormancy - Winter deciduous
- Plant type - Perennial herb
- Sun - Full sun
- Water - Dry - moist
- Flowering time - June - August
- Flower color - Pink and white
- Soil preference - Adaptable, good drainage preferred