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Showy Milkweed Seeds

Asclepias speciosa

5.00 (15 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: In late fall, direct sow Showy Milkweed seeds just below the surface. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. When the seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant; seedlings usually do not survive transplanting, since they resent any disturbance of their roots. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing.

Growing: Young plants should be watered until they become established; mature plants can tolerate some drought but grow best with regular watering. Though not invasive, this plant will eventually spread by rhizomes and forms colonies in the wild. It will also self seed if left to drop its seed. The flowers attract many bees and butterflies, including swallowtails, red admirals, an hairstreaks. Deer avoid this plant.

Harvesting: This makes a striking cut flower. Cut the stems long, choosing flowers that have just opened. Keep in mind that the milky sap is mildly toxic and can irritate the skin.

Seed Saving: After the plant finishes flowering, 3-4" narrow pods will form. Be sure to harvest the pods before they split and the silky fluff carries the seeds away on the wind. As soon as the seeds inside the pod ripen to their mature brown color, remove the pods and spread them out to dry. Split open the pods and take out the silky seed material. Remove the fluff from the seeds. Store the Showy Milkweed seeds in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Greek Milkweed, silkweed

Latin Name: Asclepias speciosa

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern

Seeds per Ounce: 5,800

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 4 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 4 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 40 Inches

Color: Pink, Purple

Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer

Uses: Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Honeybees, Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Michael

Quality Seeds

Quality seeds with high germination rate. My go to place for seeds.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Fantastic

Fantastic

Seeds came well packaged and timely. Can't wait for them to sprout

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Sarah Lerda

Great service!

My seeds arrived quickly and as advertised. I like how much information is included on the seeds. Very helpful!

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By ellen v

showy milkweed seeds

These are not ready for planting; they must be chilled for a month. I would much prefer a "best before" date was included and that they were ready to plant when shipped. Also, I paid $7 for shipping when the cost was just 70 cents with no tracking available because it was just an envelope. My other milkweed is blooming and I can't even get these in the ground yet, AND I overpaid, so yeah, nothing great to say at the moment. Crossing fingers they will sprout when planted and that they'll set some roots for NEXT year.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Marilyn Freeman

Excellent service

I ordered a small packet of seeds. When two weeks went by and I did not receive them, I wrote to everwilde farms, expecting to have to re-order. Instead, a worker emailed me that my seeds had gone back to them and asked for confirmation of my address. I then received my seeds in two days. Very responsive and personal service.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Travis Rubel

A+

They always ship fast and quality products.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Eva FitzGerald

New plant for me!

I hope to get more butterflies now with these additions to my garden.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Leslie K.

Quick service

My first order came really quickly and included detailed instructions on planting and care of the seeds I purchased. I will use Everwilde again.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By ryan wallengren

Awesome package

I'm so excited to plant these after they are stratified!

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Tony Pittaway

Order for Asclepias speciosa seeds

Service like it used to be. Easy to order, kept well informed, speedy delivery, got what I asked for, excellent quality. I've odered before, so I know the seeds will have a good germination rate.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By louise billings

Crazy about milkweeds

Seeds arrived promptly after placing my order. I look forward to using these plants to attract our native butterflies!

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Cathy Jones

Shipping

Fast shipping

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Elisabeth

Excellent germination rate

I did a 1 month cold stratification in damp paper towels (no hot soak!) and have had excellent germination. I like this species because it does well in drier growing conditions than other milkweeds; it grows locally in Utah.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Eve K

Good germination rate

I agree, no hot soak (omg no!) or even refrigerator chill is necessary, this product has a great germination rate without treatment. I have tried several brands and this is by far the best company. I buy them for my child's class project and when ready to plant in pots, we roll the seeds up in damp paper towels, then once they sprout put them in pre-soaked peat pellet pots. They send down a quick taproot so transfer them without the netting into a much larger pot where they will take off! We put a dozen in a larger pot and then when they are a foot tall transplant them in groups of 2-3 into gardens. They need water to establish but they are such an asset to flower gardens you will be delighted! This is great food for monarch butterfly caterpillars and other pollinators alike, a great school project.

Showy Milkweed Seeds 5.0
Review By Ralph

do not hot soak

Good seed, but the package instructions to give a 24 hour hot soak before planting should be disregarded. I did a test. Seeds planted without hot soak did great. Seeds planted after hot soak had zero yield.

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~200 Seeds) $3.48 -+
1/4 Oz Mylar (7.09g) $7.96 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~5,800 Seeds) $16.57 -+
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $51.20 -+
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $192.00 Notify Me
5 Lb Bulk Bag (2.27kg) $864.00 Notify Me
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DESCRIPTION

A popular native wildflower in western North America, Showy Milkweed commonly occurs on rocky slopes, woodland areas, or streams. The sweet-scented pink blossoms draw many butterflies, so you will want this in your garden if you like butterflies!
A popular native wildflower in western North America, Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) commonly occurs on rocky slopes, woodland areas, or along roads or streams. John Torrey, a Columbia University botanist, recorded this species for science in 1820 from a specimen found near the Canadian River. At one time, the silk from this plant's seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of Asclepias speciosa included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Though this plant is toxic to most animals, butterflies are immune to the plant's poison and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: In late fall, direct sow Showy Milkweed seeds just below the surface. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. When the seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant; seedlings usually do not survive transplanting, since they resent any disturbance of their roots. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing.

Growing: Young plants should be watered until they become established; mature plants can tolerate some drought but grow best with regular watering. Though not invasive, this plant will eventually spread by rhizomes and forms colonies in the wild. It will also self seed if left to drop its seed. The flowers attract many bees and butterflies, including swallowtails, red admirals, an hairstreaks. Deer avoid this plant.

Harvesting: This makes a striking cut flower. Cut the stems long, choosing flowers that have just opened. Keep in mind that the milky sap is mildly toxic and can irritate the skin.

Seed Saving: After the plant finishes flowering, 3-4" narrow pods will form. Be sure to harvest the pods before they split and the silky fluff carries the seeds away on the wind. As soon as the seeds inside the pod ripen to their mature brown color, remove the pods and spread them out to dry. Split open the pods and take out the silky seed material. Remove the fluff from the seeds. Store the Showy Milkweed seeds in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Greek Milkweed, silkweed

Latin Name: Asclepias speciosa

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern

Seeds per Ounce: 5,800

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 4 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 4 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 40 Inches

Color: Pink, Purple

Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer

Uses: Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Honeybees, Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant

Reviews

5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 15 reviews
5.0

Review By Michael

Quality Seeds

Quality seeds with high germination rate. My go to place for seeds.

5.0

Review By Fantastic

Fantastic

Seeds came well packaged and timely. Can't wait for them to sprout

5.0

Review By Sarah Lerda

Great service!

My seeds arrived quickly and as advertised. I like how much information is included on the seeds. Very helpful!

5.0

Review By ellen v

showy milkweed seeds

These are not ready for planting; they must be chilled for a month. I would much prefer a "best before" date was included and that they were ready to plant when shipped. Also, I paid $7 for shipping when the cost was just 70 cents with no tracking available because it was just an envelope. My other milkweed is blooming and I can't even get these in the ground yet, AND I overpaid, so yeah, nothing great to say at the moment. Crossing fingers they will sprout when planted and that they'll set some roots for NEXT year.

5.0

Review By Marilyn Freeman

Excellent service

I ordered a small packet of seeds. When two weeks went by and I did not receive them, I wrote to everwilde farms, expecting to have to re-order. Instead, a worker emailed me that my seeds had gone back to them and asked for confirmation of my address. I then received my seeds in two days. Very responsive and personal service.

5.0

Review By Travis Rubel

A+

They always ship fast and quality products.

5.0

Review By Eva FitzGerald

New plant for me!

I hope to get more butterflies now with these additions to my garden.

5.0

Review By Leslie K.

Quick service

My first order came really quickly and included detailed instructions on planting and care of the seeds I purchased. I will use Everwilde again.

5.0

Review By ryan wallengren

Awesome package

I'm so excited to plant these after they are stratified!

5.0

Review By Tony Pittaway

Order for Asclepias speciosa seeds

Service like it used to be. Easy to order, kept well informed, speedy delivery, got what I asked for, excellent quality. I've odered before, so I know the seeds will have a good germination rate.

5.0

Review By louise billings

Crazy about milkweeds

Seeds arrived promptly after placing my order. I look forward to using these plants to attract our native butterflies!

5.0

Review By Cathy Jones

Shipping

Fast shipping

5.0

Review By Elisabeth

Excellent germination rate

I did a 1 month cold stratification in damp paper towels (no hot soak!) and have had excellent germination. I like this species because it does well in drier growing conditions than other milkweeds; it grows locally in Utah.

5.0

Review By Eve K

Good germination rate

I agree, no hot soak (omg no!) or even refrigerator chill is necessary, this product has a great germination rate without treatment. I have tried several brands and this is by far the best company. I buy them for my child's class project and when ready to plant in pots, we roll the seeds up in damp paper towels, then once they sprout put them in pre-soaked peat pellet pots. They send down a quick taproot so transfer them without the netting into a much larger pot where they will take off! We put a dozen in a larger pot and then when they are a foot tall transplant them in groups of 2-3 into gardens. They need water to establish but they are such an asset to flower gardens you will be delighted! This is great food for monarch butterfly caterpillars and other pollinators alike, a great school project.

5.0

Review By Ralph

do not hot soak

Good seed, but the package instructions to give a 24 hour hot soak before planting should be disregarded. I did a test. Seeds planted without hot soak did great. Seeds planted after hot soak had zero yield.

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