Asclepias speciosa - Showy Milkweed

This spectacular milkweed might be the showiest plant in your summer garden. Huge clusters of fragrant pink and white star flowers grow above silver foliage on 4' stems . Each cluster is 4" to 5" across and is and irresistible to Monarch butterflies who lay their eggs on the stems and leaves. This is THE native host for our western Monarch butterfly.

Showy Milkweed looks very fancy, but it's tough and vigorous. It thrives in poor, well-drained soil with almost no water, is perfect for areas beyond the reach of your hose and actually does better without regular water. It's perennial in all zones 3-9 and does very nicely in a large pot.

Germination can be slow, but these seeds were just harvested and should pop up quickly.

********** 30 DAYS COLD STRATIFICATION REQUIRED *************

Soak seeds for 24 hours in warm water.
Surface sow seeds in a pot or a plastic baggie that will fit in the refrigerator.
Mist the soil and sprinkle a small amount of starting soil over seeds.
Cover with plastic wrap or place in baggie in the refrigerator for 30 days.
During this cold stratification process keep soil moist, but not soaking wet.
At the end of the 30 Days, place pot in a warm, sunny location. When soil is warm enough seeds will germinate.
Remove plastic wrap or baggie when you have seedlings.

25 seeds