Asclepias Speciosa, Pink Ball
100 seeds
I GET A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR TROPICAL MILKWEED, AKA SILKY RED OR HELLO YELLOW. I DO NOT CARRY IT, AS IT CARRIES A PARASITE THAT CAN HARM/KILL MONARCHS AND SPREAD FROM CONTACT WITH OTHER BUTTERFLIES.
PLEASE DO THE MONARCHS A FAVOR AND PURCHASE NATIVE SEEDS. TROPICAL MILKWEED IS NOT NATIVE TO THE U.S. ALL MILKWEED SEEDS IN MY SHOP ARE NATIVE AND DO NOT CARRY THIS PARASITE.
Showy milkweed is a perennial that will attract several different species of butterflies, including Monarch (host plant for them), Swallowtail and many others and bumble bees and hummingbirds as well. It’s name “showy” is aptly named with its large globular pink blossoms.
Blossom size can range from 4 to 7 inches!
These need cold stratification to germinate. They either need 30 days of less than 45 degree weather outdoors or you can store the seeds in a moist paper towel and sealed in a plastic baggie and placed in your refrigerator for one month. This is needed in warm climates or for any climate when planting at a warmer time of year.
Even with cold stratification, seeds can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks or longer to sprout. Sprouting time varies on weather conditions. In some cases, in warmer climates, the seeds won't sprout until there is a cold snap and voila! Please note that germination is not as reliable at temperatures of 85 degrees and above, although this variety is more heat tolerant for germination than common milkweed.
These can also be direct sown in fall in cooler climates where they will remain dormant and emerge in spring after a natural cold stratification.
The buds are red and look similar to swamp milkweed upon opening, but with a more rounded appearance and longer petals that almost have a spiky appearance, in a delicate shade of pink.
Please note that the sap of this plant can cause skin sensitivities in some people. You should always wash your hands after handling milk weed.
These can get quite impressively large for a milkweed at 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. Profuse boomers, they are a sight to see when they reach full size. The leaves are larger than swamp and orange milkweed and look similar to giant milkweed leaves.
Hardy to zones 3-9. (I grow them in zone 10 in winter!) Plant in full sun and keep soil very moist. Plant in late spring to summer in cooler climates and fall or winter in warmer climates.
This is for 100 seeds grown on plants using absolutely no pesticides.
I combine shipping on all seed orders, you pay one flat fee for as many seeds as you would like for no additional shipping. Orders over $35 for any combination of items in my shop ship for free!
All of my seeds are tested and guaranteed. Most of my seeds are fresh off of my own plants.
