Plants in genus asclepias
Asclepias syriaca
Asclepias syriaca, or common milkweed, is a robust perennial native to eastern and central United States, known for its role in supporting monarch butterflies. It features fragrant pink to purplish or white flowers and decorative seedpods. This plant spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes and is winter hardy in USDA zones 3-9. While it is toxic due to cardiac glycosides, young parts are edible and historically used by Native Americans. It thrives in sunny, sandy soils and is an important nectar source for over 450 insect species.
Asclepias angustifolia
Asclepias angustifolia is a rare, cold-hardy perennial native to Arizona, known for its role as a host plant for Monarch butterflies. It features slender, upright pods and small flowers that range from whitish to pink. This plant thrives in dry, rocky soils and is found in riparian woodlands and canyons. It is tolerant of both excess and lack of water, making it adaptable to various conditions. Its cold hardiness extends to 10°F, and it is pollinated by small Carpenter Bees.
Asclepias tuberosa
Asclepias tuberosa, native to North America, is a perennial known for its vibrant orange flowers that attract butterflies. It forms 2-foot tall clumps with narrow green leaves and thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. This plant is drought-tolerant and serves as a larval food source for monarch butterflies.
Asclepias purpurascens
Asclepias purpurascens, a type of milkweed, is native to the Eastern, Southern, and Midwestern United States. It features flowers that change from pink to darker purple and is an indicator of oak savanna. This plant is endangered in some states and attracts monarch butterflies and other insects. It grows 2 feet tall and has rosy-purple, hoya-like flowers.
Asclepias perennis
Asclepias perennis, also known as aquatic milkweed, is a native plant found in wet areas from Texas to South Carolina. It features linear leaves and flowers ranging from whitish to pink, serving as a host plant for Monarch butterflies.
Asclepias speciosa
Asclepias speciosa, commonly known as showy milkweed, is a robust perennial native to western North America. It features green to silvery-green foliage and pink to white star-shaped flowers that bloom in summer. This plant is drought-tolerant and serves as a host for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Its milky sap and woolly seed pods have been used medicinally and for crafting by Native Americans.
Asclepias viridis
Asclepias viridis, commonly known as green milkweed, is a US prairie native that forms a 2-foot tall clump with thick, outward-leaning stalks. It blooms in early May with green petals and purple stamens, attracting bees and monarch butterflies. This deer-resistant plant prefers average to dry soils and is a host plant for monarch butterflies, making it an important addition to wildlife gardens.
Asclepias asperula
Asclepias asperula, commonly known as antelope horn, is a native plant to dry, sandy soils in the US. It forms a 2-foot tall clump and blooms from March to May with dome-shaped flower heads. The flowers attract Monarch and Queen butterflies and are a major food source for their caterpillars.
Asclepias incarnata 'Cinderella'
Asclepias incarnata 'Cinderella' is a native plant known for its 50-inch tall stalks and mauvy-pink flowers in summer. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, including monarchs, and prefers moist-to-soggy soils. This plant fares well in typical garden soils and stays fresh in a vase, making it a popular choice for pollinator gardens.
Asclepias incarnata 'Soulmate'
Asclepias incarnata 'Soulmate' is a perennial plant with gorgeous rosy pink flowers that emit a sweet vanilla scent. It is deer and rabbit resistant and attracts Monarch butterflies. This plant grows 3 to 3.5 feet tall and spreads 18-24 inches, thriving in full sun and tolerating moist and wet soils.
Asclepias pinifolia
Asclepias pinifolia is a subshrub from the Yucca-Do collection, found in Tamaulipas at 3100 feet elevation. It grows in dry, rocky sites and resembles a dwarf Amsonia hubrichtii. This plant forms a 2-foot wide clump and produces small light greenish flowers in summer.
Asclepias verticillata
Asclepias verticillata, native to North America, is a plant that grows from a single strong stem with clusters of cream-colored florets and yellow centers. It attracts Monarch butterflies and has fragrant flower clusters. Growing about 3 feet tall, it prefers well-drained soil and full sun, with low moisture needs once established.
Asclepias curassavica
Asclepias curassavica, commonly known as tropical milkweed, is an annual plant in most zones but perennial in zones 9-11. It grows 3 feet tall and wide, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This plant is a vital nectar source and host for Monarch butterflies, thriving in various soil conditions.
Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet'
Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' is a white-flowered form of swamp milkweed that grows well in both swampy and dry perennial borders. It produces masses of white flower clusters from spring through summer, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. This plant is native to the United States and is known for its adaptability and resilience.
Asclepias angustifolia 'Sonoita'
Asclepias angustifolia 'Sonoita' is a native plant of southern Arizona and Mexico, thriving at elevations between 4,000 and 7,000 feet. It forms a compact clump of upright stalks, reaching about 2 feet in height and width. The plant features amsonia-like foliage and produces blush pink buds that open to white flowers from May through September. It is known for attracting butterflies and is both deer and drought resistant.
Asclepias incarnata
Asclepias incarnata, commonly known as swamp milkweed, is a native perennial with fragrant, bright pink and white blooms. It serves as a host plant for Monarch caterpillars and thrives in moist conditions, making it ideal for rain gardens. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 6 and grows up to 4-5 feet tall. Its bitter milky sap deters deer and rabbits, and it attracts Monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow'
Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow' is a drought-tolerant plant with golden to yellow-gold flowers that bloom starting in early June. It forms a 20-inch tall by 2-foot wide mound and is a butterfly attractant, thriving in sunny locations.
Asclepias incarnata 'Milkmaid'
Asclepias incarnata 'Milkmaid' is a perennial plant with creamy white flowers and a vanilla fragrance. It attracts Monarch butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, blooming from summer into fall. This plant grows 3-5 feet tall and prefers full sun, tolerating a variety of soil types.