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Asclepias purpurascens Purple Milkweed

Asclepias purpurascens – Purple Milkweed

$15.00

DISTRIBUTION

USA:  AR,  CT,  DC,  DE,  GA,  IA,  IL,  IN,  KS,  KY,  LA,  MA,  MD,  MI,  MN,  MO,  MS,  NC,  NE,  NH,  NJ,  NY,  OH,  OK,  PA,  RI,  SD,  TN,  TX,  VA,  WI,  WV

Asclepias purpurascens – Purple Milkweed is a Michigan native milkweed and is native to most of the eastern United States though it is uncommon to rare in cultivated gardens. Similar to Ascelpeias syriaca (Common Milkweed) it is an excellent garden choice due to its non-invasive nature. It has a long bloom season and the fragrant, intense rosy pink flowers attract numerous insects and butterflies. Purple Milkweed is very tolerant of a wide variety of soils and light levels making it easy to grow.  It will tolerate shade, but blooms better in the sun. It commonly occurs in dry to moist open woods, dry ridge tops, thickets, glades, prairie openings, stream banks and wet meadows.

All of our plants are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and are safe for developing larvae.

Grown in 4.5″ square pot.

Available mid-late June 2017

Out of stock

SKU: Asclepias purpurascens – Purple Milkweed Categories: , , , , , ,

Description

Available Late May – Early June.

Asclepias purpurascens – Purple Milkweed

DISTRIBUTION

USA:  AR,  CT,  DC,  DE,  GA,  IA,  IL,  IN,  KS,  KY,  LA,  MA,  MD,  MI,  MN,  MO,  MS,  NC,  NE,  NH,  NJ,  NY,  OH,  OK,  PA,  RI,  SD,  TN,  TX,  VA,  WI,  WV

Asclepias purpurascens – Purple Milkweed is uncommon with many butterfly gardeners but it is a great alternative due to its non-invasive habit. Similar in appearance to Common Milkweed, the flowers are a rich red-purple and typically bloom in late spring and early summer. The flowers attract a wide variety of nectar seeking insects.

Plant Asclepias purpurascens in a site that is well drained but has ample moisture. It enjoys a bit of shade but will do well in full sun if it gets deep, regular watering.

Purple Milkweed will not spread aggressively like the Common Milkweed does. The seed pods are smooth and a little more slender than those of Common Milkweed which has plump pods with a prickly surface.

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.

Additional information

Weight 1 lbs
Dimensions 4 × 4 × 4 in
Height

Light

Moisture

Blooms

Zones

Color

Spread

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