Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa, A. curassavica, A. fascicularis)
Attractive foliage and flowers for beds, borders, cottage gardens, meadows and butterfly gardens. Also a good cut flower. Dried seed pods are attractive in arrangements.
There are several California Native Milkweed plants, loved by the Monarch Butterfly in particular, but other butterflies as well. Blood Flower Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), Showy Milweed (Asclepias speciosa) and Narrow-Leafed Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis).
Blood Flower Milkweed and Narrow-Leafed Milkweed will both grow 3-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide in any exposure from full sun to full shade, with dry, semi-dry, or regular water, and tolerates clay and other poor soils. It flowers in Spring and Summer. These are tough plants, but can look a little scrawny after the butterflies have lunched on them for a while. Usually, the plant will die back in winter and then re-sprout in spring, just in time to feed the caterpillars. Milkweed is an upright perennial, with attractive leaves and various flower colors, usually yellow or red with yellow center. Also is rarely available in white, pink, or purple.
Showy Milkweed usually tolerates clay, grows in the same exposure and watering conditions, but is a little smaller plant, usually 2-3 feet tall and 2 feet wide at maturity. It is a winter dormant perennial, with large rose-pink to purple flowers. Asclepias speciosa's foliage color is silver. Other varieties may be available on special request - please call or email.
Free delivery in Orange County only. We do not ship plants outside Southern California due to weather, shipping service handling, and cost considerations.