Showy Milkweed

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is native to drier regions of the west and serves as a major food source for monarch caterpillars in the western United States. Sturdy stems hold fragrant flower heads upright and soft gray-green foliage adds bold texture to the borders and butterfly gardens. Prominent seed pods make a striking addition to dried flower arrangements. Showy Milkweed is an ideal selection for naturalizing in meadows and along slopes. These low-maintenance plants perform well on dry sites are drought tolerant once established. Showy Milkweed produces a deep taproot making plants difficult to transplant. Plants can spread by rhizome but are much less aggressive than common milkweed. Allow plants to self-seed in the landscape if desired or remove seed pods before they split open. Deer-resistant.