Showy Milkweed

Scientific name

Asclepias speciosa

Description

The Showy Milkweed is a perennial wildflower species that typically grows about 1 m in height. The leaves are large, oval shaped, blueish or grayish green coloured, and oppositely arranged. The flowers are star like, pink, bloom in the summer, and appear in globular clusters on the top stems. These flowers produce large, hairy seedpods by the fall. The flowers are attractive to pollinator species like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. As with most Milkweed species, this plant is especially important food and habitat for the endangered Monarch Butterfly. This is one of the least toxic Milkweed species.

Planting conditions

Showy Milkweed grows best in normal to moist conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It can grow in a variety of soil types with neutral pH levels. It is tolerant of drought and dry soil but is intolerant of shade. This wildflower naturally occurs in wet or dry meadows, prairies, and road ditches.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Drought Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Humus
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Wildflower
• Eco Zone:
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
  • 7b
  • 8a
  • 8b
  • 9a
• Plant type:
  • Wildflower
• Height:
  • 1 m
• Spread:
  • 0.5 m