(Asclepias speciosa ‘Showy’)

SKU:
$1.00
1 2 $1.00 - $2.00
$1.00
Unavailable
per item

Showy Milkweed is a native perennial flower that grows in open woods, along roadsides and streams, and on dry slopes throughout the central and western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-4' and features thick upright stems, 8” velvety oval-shaped greenish-gray leaves, and aromatic star-shaped light pink to pinkish purple flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is used to make cordage and fabric, self-sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is used as a cut flower! 

Only a few left!
  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Culinary
  • Medicinal
  • Other Uses
  • Companion Planting
<
>
​Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: Asclepias

Species: speciosa

Variety: Showy Milkweed

Also Known As: Greek Milkweed, Silkweed

Native to: Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Introduced into: Baltic States.

Ease of Growing: Easy

Grown as: Perennial
 
Maturity (Blooms): Summer

Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers. Monarch butterflies lay eggs on this plant and the resulting larvae (caterpillars) use the plant leaves as a food source.

Containers: Yes

Light: Full Sun

Soil Moisture: Medium

Height: 24-36”
 
Spacing: 18-24”
 
USDA Zone: 3a-9b

Produces: thick upright stems, 8” velvety oval shaped greenish gray leaves, and aromatic star shaped light pink to pinkish purple flowers.

Toxicity: Milkweed contains toxic alkaloids and cardenolides, which can cause nausea and vomiting in low doses, and death in high doses. Animals avoid milkweed if other forage is available. Consider wearing gloves when working with these plants because the milky sap is poisonous if ingested and can be toxic to human skin. Can be poisonous to livestock.
In late fall, direct sow just below the surface in full sun and well drained soil. This plant also tolerates dry, rocky soil or clay. Plant three seeds together every 18-24 inches. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. When the seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant; seedlings usually do not survive transplanting, since they resent any disturbance of their roots. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing.
Young plants should be watered until they become established; mature plants can tolerate some drought but grow best with regular watering. Though not invasive, this plant will eventually spread by rhizomes and forms colonies in the wild. It will also self seed if left to drop its seed. The flowers attract many bees and butterflies, including swallowtails, red admirals, an hairstreaks. Deer avoid this plant.
​​This makes a striking cut flower. Cut the stems long, choosing flowers that have just opened. Keep in mind that the milky sap is mildly toxic and can irritate the skin.
After the plant finishes flowering, 3-4” narrow pods will form. Be sure to harvest the pods before they split and the silky fluff carries the seeds away on the wind. As soon as the seeds inside the pod ripen to their mature brown color, remove the pods and spread them out to dry. Split open the pods and take out the silky seed material. Remove the fluff from the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
People have used milkweed plants for fiber, food, and medicine. The young shoots, stems, flower buds, flowers, and immature fruits of showy milkweed were eaten raw or boiled as a vegetable by indigenous groups of North America.  The sticky white sap was also made into a type of chewing gum by heating it until it became solid, and mixing it with salmon fat or deer grease.
The sap of showy milkweed was used by some desert tribes to heal sores and cuts, and to cure warts and ringworm. The ripe seeds were ground and made into a salve for sores. Seeds were boiled and the liquid used to draw the venom from rattlesnake bites. Tea made from the rhizomes was a remedy for measles or coughs. It was also used as a wash to cure rheumatism. The rhizomes, mashed with water, were used as a poultice to reduce swelling.
​Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
The most common use for the plant among tribes of California was cordage. 

Stem fibers of milkweed are used by Native Americans to make course cloth, string, cords, and ropes. At Zuni, NM, the silky seed floss is spun into yarn and woven into a special fabric for dancers. Hybrids of A. speciosa and A. syriaca are being tested for commercial seed floss production as a hypo-allergenic substitute for goose down.
Tagetes (marigolds), Morning glory and Sunflower to attract aphid predators. 

Suggested Varieties

(Tagetes erecta ‘Naughty Marietta’)

Naughty Marietta Marigold is a compact annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing on banks and slopes throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 6-12” and features divided green foliage and aromatic flower heads with yellow petals with mahogany streaks at their base. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, repels bean beetles, cabbage loopers, and nematodes, is both edible and medicinal, and can be used as a trap crop for aphids. 
Shop

(Tagetes erecta ‘Sparky Mix’)

Sparky Marigold is a compact annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing on banks and slopes throughout the central and eastern United States. This plant grows up to 9-12 inches tall and has green foliage that is divided. Its orange and yellow flowers have wavy petals and emit a pleasant aroma. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, repels bean beetles, cabbage loopers, and nematodes, is both edible and medicinal, and can be used as a trap crop for aphids. 
Shop

(Ipomoea purpurea ‘Grandpa Ott’)

Grandpa Ott' Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico and South America but can be found growing in thickets, fallow fields, and along roadsides throughout the state of Arizona. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach a length of 6-10' and features heart-shaped dark green leaves and 5" deep purple flowers with ruby red centers. This plant is adaptable and can grow in a container or hanging basket. It also has the added benefit of attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In addition to being edible and medicinal, it has the unique ability to self-sow!
Shop

(Ipomea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’)

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach a length of 6-9' and features heart-shaped dark green leaves and 4-5" bright sky-blue blooms with lovely white centers. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, has medicinal properties, and self-sows!
Shop

(Ipomoea nil ‘Picotee Blue’)

Sold out

Picotee Blue Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico and South America but can be found growing throughout the southern United States. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach a length of 6-9' and features heart-shaped dark green leaves and dramatic 6" blue blooms with bright white edging a purple star inside. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and hummingbirds, has medicinal properties, and self-sows!
Shop

(Ipomoea purpurea ‘Tall Mixed’)

Tall Mixed Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico and South America but can be found growing in thickets, fallow fields, and along roadsides throughout the state of Arizona. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach a length of 6-9' and features heart-shaped dark green leaves and 3-4" flower blooms in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and hummingbirds, has medicinal properties, and self-sows!
Shop

(Ipomoea alba ‘White’)

White Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico and South America but can be found growing throughout several states. When fully grown, the vines of this plant can extend beyond 10 feet in length. It showcases dark green leaves that are heart-shaped and white fragrant flowers measuring 5 to 6 inches. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, lacewings, and pollinating moths, has medicinal properties, and self-sows!
Shop

(Helianthus annuus ‘Autumn Beauty’)

Only a few left!

Autumn Beauty Sunflower is a native annual flower that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 5-6' and features hairy stems & heart-shaped green leaves, and 4-6” yellow, orange, red, bronze, or mahogany flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, makes dye, and is used as a cut flower! 
Shop

(Helianthus annuus ‘Mammoth’)

Mammoth Sunflower is a native annual plant that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 8-12' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 12-24” yellow flower heads. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye! 
Shop

(Tithonia rotundifolia ‘Mexican’)

Mexican Sunflower is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing throughout Louisiana and Florida. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 4-6' and features 3-12” lobed dark green leaves and 3” orange-red flowers with orange-yellow disks. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, and is used as a cut flower! 
Shop

(Helianthus annuus ‘Velvet Queen’)

Velvet Queen Sunflower is a native annual plant that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3-4' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 4-6” flowers in shades of bronze, red, and mahogany with dark centers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye! 
Shop