Description

Observe the monarch butterfly lifecycle right in your garden! This heirloom species provides food and habitat for monarch butterflies and is an essential host plant for their caterpillars. In summer, pink to purplish or white flowers are followed by decorative seedpods that are beautiful in dried arrangements. Robust, shrub-like perennial spreads by underground rhizomes. Native throughout much of the eastern and central United States. Sap is toxic; avoid eye/skin contact and do not ingest.

Botanical Name: Asclepias syriaca
Family: Apocynaceae
Native: Eastern 2/3 of the U.S. and Canada
Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 3 and warmer
Plant Dimensions: 24″–36″ tall
Variety Information: Individual flowers ½” long, borne in pink to purplish or white clusters.
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Period: Summer
Attributes: Attracts Pollinators, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant

When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, or in the fall for spring germination.
When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date.
Days to Emerge: 14–28 days
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12″
Thinning: When 3″ tall, thin to 1 every 12″

Special Care: Benefits greatly from stratification (a cold, moist period) prior to germination.

23 seeds.