Asclepias Species, Showy Milkweed, Showy Butterfly Weed, Creek Milkweed, Greek Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
| Family: | Apocynaceae (a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Asclepias (ass-KLE-pee-us) (Info) |
| Species: | speciosa (spee-see-OH-suh) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Asclepias douglasii |
| Synonym: | Asclepias giffordii |
Category:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Succulent
Foliage Color:
Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Pink
Medium Purple
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Flagstaff, Arizona
Sun City, Arizona
Brentwood, California
Calistoga, California
Janesville, California
Laguna Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Richmond, California
San Jose, California
San Leandro, California
San Marcos, California
Susanville, California
Westminster, California
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Golden, Colorado
Laporte, Colorado
Paonia, Colorado
Bokeelia, Florida
Potlatch, Idaho
Rock Rapids, Iowa
Barbourville, Kentucky
Eveleth, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Helena, Montana
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Cottage Grove, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Austin, Texas
Magna, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
South Jordan, Utah
Bonney Lake, Washington
Orchards, Washington
Prairie Ridge, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Aug 4, 2018, Chambo from Sumner, WA wrote: Seeds were planted mid-June 2017, but did not flower the first year. In 2018, 5 plants came up with the tallest at 54"; one is now with a large seed pod (1st wk of August). The soil here in Bonney Lake is typical of the northwest: acidic. |
| Positive | On Aug 22, 2017, Salernitana9 from San Jose, CA wrote: I am in zone 9b (South San Jose, CA) with extremely heavy clumpy clay soil. I was unsuccessful in planting over thirty milkweed seeds that I purchased online from two different ebay vendors and failed even in methods obtained from never-fail-youtube videos. I lucked out and randomly found in the late Summer a milkweed plant over at the Westbrae Nursery in Berkeley so that I didn't need to order one online from Annie's in Richmond. |
| Neutral | On Mar 26, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: Not as a attractive as butterfly weed (A. tuberosa) or swamp milkweed (A. incarnata), which are also excellent food sources for Monarch butterfly caterpillars (and great nectar sources for adults), and are easy garden plants that form clumps. |
| Positive | On Dec 28, 2008, aardvark7 from Lubbock, TX (Zone 7b) wrote: Free seeds for Asclepias speciosa may be obtained through LiveMonarch.org on their website. Milkweed is the ONLY larval food source for the Monarch butterfly. |
| Positive | On Jul 29, 2008, Danny112596 from Los Fresnos, TX (Zone 10a) wrote: This plant may grow in Zone 10 with good care. To grow them in Zone 10 from seeds use Cold Moist Stratification for a 1-2 months then plant. |
| Positive | On Oct 22, 2005, wetdogfarm from Eveleth, MN (Zone 3a) wrote: I have been growing this species for several years in N MN. It has done fine in average garden soil and tolerates some drought. It does not seem to need consistent moisture in my opinion. It spreads by rhizomes, but not as rampantly as Asclepias syriaca. Beautiful flowers. |
| Neutral | On Dec 4, 2004, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: This plant attracts bees and butterflies. The flowers are pinkish-whitish and reach a height of 28". They look like a cluster of little stars. |
