Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native perennial in Hardiness Zones 3-8. Its Native Regions are the Eastern United States, Eastern Canada, and, specifically, Wisconsin.
Common milkweed features nearly spherical flower clusters, with each stem producing 30 to 100 flowers. The individual flowers are approximately ¾ inch long and ¼ inch wide, with three clusters per stem being typical. They bloom in a rosy pink hue from June to August and are renowned for their strong fragrance. These nectar-rich flowers do not produce loose pollen; instead, their pollen is packaged in waxy sacs called pollinia
It makes a lovely cut flower and attracts ants, bees, butterflies, and the red milkweed beetle. It is the host plant for Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) larvae and requires full sun. Mature height 3-5 feet with a spread of 24-30 inches; soil requirements include sand, clay, or loam, and it prefers moist, well-drained soil.
The leaves are thick, measuring 6-8 inches in length and 2-3 inches in width. When broken, they exude a milky substance. Typically, there are one to six stems per root crown.
The seed pods are about 4 inches long, initially green, but turn brown upon maturity. They split open to reveal 50-100 seeds, each equipped with a white, fluffy coma (parachute) for wind dispersal.
Common milkweed has a deep tap root that can grow 7-12 feet deep. Companion plants are Lobelia cardinalis, Helianthus, Blazing Star, and Mountain Mint.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native perennial in Hardiness Zones 3-8. Its Native Regions are the Eastern United States, Eastern Canada, and, specifically, Wisconsin.
Common milkweed features nearly spherical flower clusters, with each stem producing 30 to 100 flowers. The individual flowers are approximately ¾ inch long and ¼ inch wide, with three clusters per stem being typical. They bloom in a rosy pink hue from June to August and are renowned for their strong fragrance. These nectar-rich flowers do not produce loose pollen; instead, their pollen is packaged in waxy sacs called pollinia
It makes a lovely cut flower and attracts ants, bees, butterflies, and the red milkweed beetle. It is the host plant for Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) larvae and requires full sun. Mature height 3-5 feet with a spread of 24-30 inches; soil requirements include sand, clay, or loam, and it prefers moist, well-drained soil.
The leaves are thick, measuring 6-8 inches in length and 2-3 inches in width. When broken, they exude a milky substance. Typically, there are one to six stems per root crown.
The seed pods are about 4 inches long, initially green, but turn brown upon maturity. They split open to reveal 50-100 seeds, each equipped with a white, fluffy coma (parachute) for wind dispersal.
Common milkweed has a deep tap root that can grow 7-12 feet deep. Companion plants are Lobelia cardinalis, Helianthus, Blazing Star, and Mountain Mint.
