Description
Available Late May – June
Asclepias exaltata Poke Milkweed
Distribution: AL, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Asclepias exaltata Poke Milkweed is a tall milkweed commonly found at the edges of forests and woodlands. Poke Milkweed does well in shaded, moist growing conditions and produces delightfully aromatic flowers. The flowers are attractive to native butterflies and pollinators and is an important host plant for Monarch butterflies.
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.
