Asclepias Species, Showy Milkweed, Showy Butterfly Weed, Creek Milkweed, Greek Milkweed
Asclepiasspeciosa

Family: Apocynaceae (a-pos-ih-NAY-see-ee)
Genus: Asclepias (ass-KLE-pee-us)
Species: speciosa (spee-see-OH-suh)

Synonym:Asclepias douglasii

Synonym:Asclepias giffordii

Category

Perennials

Water Requirements

Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure

Full Sun

Foliage

Herbaceous
Succulent

Foliage Color

Unknown

Height

24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)

Spacing

24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Hardiness

USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Where to Grow

Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone

Danger

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color

Pink
Medium Purple

Bloom Characteristics

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Unknown

Bloom Time

Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details

Unknown

Soil pH requirements

5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information

Non-patented

Propagation Methods

By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors

Seed Collecting

Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored