Description
Asclepias sullivantii Sullivant’s Milkweed
DISTRIBUTION
USA: AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, OK, SD, WI
Asclepias sullivantii Sullivant’s Milkweed, also known as Prairie Milkweed, is a long-lived perennial and well-behaved relative of Common Milkweed. Very similar in appearance to Asclepias syriaca, Sullivant’s Milkweed is less aggressive and a great choice for butterfly gardens.
This splendid prairie plant is one of the best milkweeds for attracting butterflies, especially Monarchs. It is also visited by hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators and beneficial insects.
Sullivant’s Milkweed is extremely easy to grow and grows in any sunny spot in the garden or meadow. It will prosper the sunny, medium to medium-moist gardena and will develop deep tap roots.
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is of vital importance and critical to the survival of the Monarch butterfly as the larvae only eat milkweed. Females will search for fresh tender leaves on which to lay their eggs. With habitat loss and the use of pesticides it is has become increasingly difficult for Monarchs to find Asclepias during their spring migration and throughout the summer breeding season, particularly in the Midwest prairies where it once grew in abundance.
All of our plants are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and are safe for developing larvae.