Showy Milkweed Seeds
- 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
Fantastic
Seeds came well packaged and timely. Can't wait for them to sprout
Great service!
My seeds arrived quickly and as advertised. I like how much information is included on the seeds. Very helpful!
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.
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.
A+
They always ship fast and quality products.
New plant for me!
I hope to get more butterflies now with these additions to my garden.
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.
Awesome package
I'm so excited to plant these after they are stratified!
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.
Crazy about milkweeds
Seeds arrived promptly after placing my order. I look forward to using these plants to attract our native butterflies!
Shipping
Fast shipping
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.
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.
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.
DESCRIPTION
IN-STOCK ORDERS SHIP THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY VIA THE US POST OFFICE.
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!
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
Review
Fantastic
Seeds came well packaged and timely. Can't wait for them to sprout
Review
Great service!
My seeds arrived quickly and as advertised. I like how much information is included on the seeds. Very helpful!
Review
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.
Review
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.
Review
A+
They always ship fast and quality products.
Review
New plant for me!
I hope to get more butterflies now with these additions to my garden.
Review
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.
Review
Awesome package
I'm so excited to plant these after they are stratified!
Review
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.
Review
Crazy about milkweeds
Seeds arrived promptly after placing my order. I look forward to using these plants to attract our native butterflies!
Review
Shipping
Fast shipping
Review
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.
Review
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.
Review
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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