{"product_id":"showy-milkweed-25-seeds-mw0625","title":"Showy Milkweed Seeds, Asclepias Speciosa Seeds, Pink Ball MW0625","description":"I GET A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR TROPICAL MILKWEED, AKA SILKY RED OR SILKY YELLOW. I DO NOT CARRY IT, AS IT CARRIES A PARASITE THAT CAN HARM\/KILL MONARCHS AND SPREAD FROM CONTACT WITH OTHER BUTTERFLIES.\u003cbr\u003e PLEASE DO THE MONARCHS A FAVOR AND PURCHASE NATIVE SEEDS. TROPICAL MILKWEED IS NOT NATIVE TO THE U.S. ALL ASCLEPIAS SEEDS IN MY SHOP ARE NATIVE AND DO NOT CARRY THIS PARASITE. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Blossom size can range from 4 to 7 inches! \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 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. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 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. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 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. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Perennial zones 3-9\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e This is for 25 seeds\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 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 to the US for free! \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e All of my seeds are tested and guaranteed. Most of my seeds are fresh off of my own plants.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e SeedCult never uses pesticides, GMO's or synthetic fertilizers","brand":"SeedCult","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53058309816683,"sku":"MW0625","price":1.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0973\/5815\/2043\/files\/0_abc6dd62-f363-4fe8-a32c-aea59157c7cf.jpg?v=1775072257","url":"https:\/\/seedcult.com\/products\/showy-milkweed-25-seeds-mw0625","provider":"SeedCult","version":"1.0","type":"link"}