Prairie Milkweed Seeds, Asclepias Sullivantii

Description

Plant Specs:

• Perennial: USDA hardiness zones 3-7 (lows -40 °C or -40 °F)
• Native to Central US and Eastern Canada
• Full sun to part shade
• Height: 2 to 3 feet
• Spacing: 1 to 2 ft
• Flowers: shades of pink with fragrant blooms
• Smooth leaves compared to Common
• Blooms during summer months (June-Aug)

Plant Propagation:

• Sow seeds directly outside in fall– November is a good option for most regions
• Start seeds indoors 2 months before final frost- seeds must be cold stratified
• Sow seeds directly after final frost
• Winter sowing is a good option if you want to control plant placement
•  Pros:

• Easier to control in a garden setting than Asclepias syriaca
• Popular host plant for caterpillars
• Many butterflies use as an early nectar source, including monarchs
• Easy to start from milkweed seeds
• Sweet fragrant blossoms that fill the air.

Cons:

• Prone to aphid pests like most milkweed
• Spreads slowly through underground rhizomes
• Does not transplant well because of long taproot

Native to: AR, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, OK, SD, WI.