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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweeds) |
| Origin: Northwest (U.S.) (North America) |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: Running |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Asclepias speciosa (Showy Milkweed) - An erect stout perennial to 3 feet tall and spreading slowly by rhizomes to form an open clump. It has hairy broad oval gray-green 5 inch long leaves that are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem and topped in late spring through early summer with lightly fragrant large tight spherical clusters (umbels) of pale pinkish purple star shaped flowers that have reflexes calyces. Plant out in the open in full sun in most any soil and irrigate only occasionally to very little once established - this is a drought tolerant plant and is very hardy in its deciduous state, tolerating winter temperatures well below zero and useful down to USDA zone 4. This plant is very showy in bloom and was long used by the indigenous native American peoples for medicinal purposes and as a food source (it is considered one of the least toxic of the milkweeds). It is a food and habitat plant for the Monarch Butterfly and the flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. Showy Milkweed is native through much of western North America and in California from northern central California to the borders with Nevada and Oregon, where is grows in open clearings in mixed-evergreen and Yellow Pine forests. The name for the genus was one that Carl Linnaeus ascribed after Asklepios, the Greek god of healing, for the many medicinal uses of milkweed plants. The specific epithet is the Latin word for "beautiful" or "showy" in reference to this plants attractive flowers. Our plants from seed purchased from Seed Hunt as is the image of the plant on this page.
This description is based on research and observations of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in our nursery garden and in other gardens that we visit. We also incorporate comments received and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Asclepias speciosa.
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