Asclepias purpurascens
Purple Milkweed
This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.
Shop Available AsclepiasItem #: 12659
Zones: 3a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Native from Canada south to Louisiana, with the heaviest concentration in Missouri, Asclepias purpurascens is one of those great North American native plants that should be grown in all sunny gardens. The 2' tall green stems emerge from dormancy, clothed in 6" long x 3" wide dark green leaves, on opposite sides of the stem. Starting for us in mid-May, the terminal and upper leaf axils are home to dozens of 2-3" wide spheres, each composed of fascinating rosy-purple, hoya-like flowers. Asclepias purpurascens spreads a tiny bit, but nothing like the weedy Asclepias syriaca, which we long ago banished from our gardens. Asclepias purpurascens is a favorite of a large number of bees, butterflies, skippers, and even ruby-throated hummingbirds. Both flowers and shoots of Asclepias purpurascens can be eaten by humans if cooked. Paper can be made from the fiber in the stems, and chewing gum and wart remover from the white latex sap. Sounds like a great value to us!
-
Other Attributes
Genus: Asclepias
Flower Color: Pink , Purple/Lavender , Violet
Leaf Color: Green
Container Role: Fillers
Garden Themes: Cottage Garden Plants
Other: Butterfly Attracting Plants , Edimentals , Cut Flower Plants , Deer Resistant Plants , Florida Native Plants , Hummingbird Plants , Pollinator Plants , Medicinal Plants , North American Native Plants , North Carolina Native Plants , Ornamental Seed or Fruit , Plants Named After Animals , Plants that Attract Birds , Rabbit Resistant Plants , Rain Garden Plants , Salt Tolerant Seaside Plants , Texas Native Plants , Tony's Favorites , United States Native Plants