showy milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Type:: native plant, perennial
Notable Traits:: attracts beneficial insects, attracts butterflies/pollinators, butterfly caterpillar food, heat tolerant, native: midwest, ornamental seed, resistant: deer, resistant: disease, resistant: rabbit, tolerates clay soil, tolerates harsh roadside conditions, wildlife food source
Hardiness:: Zone 3 – 9
Mature Height:: 3-4’
Light:: full sun
Water:: drought tolerant, regular/medium
Bloom Color:: pink
Bloom Time:: summer
Foliage:: green

Description

Showy milkweed produces dusty pink flower clusters in mid-summer atop large, glossy leaves that resemble a rubber tree plant. Flowers are followed by large, decorative seed pods.

Companion Plants

bee balm

Monarda dwarf selections/Monarda fistulosa/Monarda punctata

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pale purple coneflower

Echinacea pallida

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Missouri primrose

Oenothera macrocarpa

Large, deep yellow flowers cover this sprawling native over glossy green leaves from late spring … Continued

little bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

True deep blue foliage and exceptional bronze-red fall color. Tolerates heat and humidity. Native to … Continued

butterfly weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) features showy orange (pure native) or yellow (selection ‘Hello Yellow’) flower … Continued

common milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Common milkweed produces dusty pink flower clusters in mid-summer atop large, glossy leaves that resemble … Continued

showy milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Showy milkweed produces dusty pink flower clusters in mid-summer atop large, glossy leaves that resemble … Continued

whorled milkweed

Asclepias verticillata

According to the website Monarch Butterfly Garden, you shouldn’t rely on it as your main milkweed … Continued

giant milkweed

Calotropis gigantea

Thrives in medium moisture and well-drained soils in full sun. Established plants tolerate drought, but … Continued

swamp milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Swamp milkweed sports lightly fragrant flower clusters from early summer through fall. Plants grow 3-5′ … Continued

‘Silky Gold & Red’ tropical milkweed

Asclepias curassavica

‘Silky Deep Red’ blooms scarlet red and yellow two-tone. ‘Silky Gold’ sports yellow blooms. Both … Continued

tall green milkweed

Asclepias hirtella

Plants grow up to 4′ and produce white flowers. This species prefers medium-wet to dry … Continued

spider milkweed, green antelopehorn

Asclepias viridis

Attracts Monarch butterflies and a host of other insects while being tolerant of heat and … Continued

green comet milkweed

Asclepias veridiflora

Produces copious amounts of nectar especially adored by bumble bees. Flowers have a sweet odor … Continued

Sullivant’s milkweed

Asclepias sullivantii

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun, plants may self-seed in … Continued

Plant Type

Notable Traits

Light Requirements

Water Requirements

showy milkweed