Poke Milkweed

Scientific name

Asclepias exaltata

Description

Poke Milkweed is a perennial wildflower species that can grow 1-1.5 m in height. The leaves are oppositely arranged, medium to dark green colored, glossy, oval shaped, have entire margins, and produce a milky sap when broken. The flowers are showy, small, white to light purple colored, appear in dropping clusters, and bloom between June and August. These flowers produce large seedpods in the fall that will release many seeds with hairy tufts into the wind. As with all Milkweed plants, this wildflower contains a milky sap, which is the critical food for caterpillars of the endangered Monarch Butterfly.

Planting conditions

Poke Milkweed grows best in moist conditions with partial sun exposure. It prefers well-drained nutrient rich loam or sand soil types. It is the most shade tolerant member of the Milkweed family but can also be grown in full sun. It is intolerant of strong winds and should be planted in a protected area. This wildflower can be naturally found in moist, shaded, forests and along shaded shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Humus
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Wildflower
• Eco Zone:
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Wildflower
• Height:
  • 1.5m
• Spread:
  • 1m