ShowyMilkweed Seed
- Showy pink-purple clusters release a sweet fragrance
- Large flowers provide nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds
- Western native supports monarch reproduction
- Long petals distinguish it from common milkweed
Key Attributes
About Showy, Milkweed Seed, Milkweed Seed
The Showy Asclepias is just like its name, a beautiful showy plant that is an excellent nectar sources for butterflies and hummingbirds! This Butterfly Weed variety is similar to Common Milkweed, but its pinkish-purple flowers have longer petals that taper more and are covered with fine hairs. The Showy Asclepias will attract butterflies and hummingbirds, especially Queen and Monarch butterflies. This plant is aggressive and should be thinned every year.
Growing details
Plant profile
Seed & variety
Before Planting
Planting
Watering
Fertilizer
Harvesting
Tips
Pests & Diseases
Milkweed may develop leaf spots, rust, powdery mildew, or viral mosaics. Minor spotting usually needs only sanitation, but persistent mottling, distortion, or stunting warrants whole-plant removal. Avoid moving symptomatic plants among pollinator gardens, thin dense colonies, and clean tools before collecting pods or propagating roots.
Milkweed can attract aphids, thrips, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and slugs. Scout flowers and new growth regularly, handpick when practical, and protect beneficial insects with targeted controls.
Native States & Regions
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Native regions: Midwest, Mountain, Plains, Western
Its Role in the Native Ecosystem
Showy Milkweed is a monarch caterpillar host and a nectar source for flower-visiting insects. Its broad leaves support the developing larvae, while its flower clusters serve adult visitors. Give spreading plants adequate room and use them within an appropriately matched native planting rather than treating milkweed as a complete habitat by itself.
Showy Milkweed Native Range Map
Native range describes natural occurrence, not the origin of this seed lot or every location where a plant can be grown.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown as insets. State-level range does not mean a plant occurs throughout every part of that state.
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