Asclepias asperula (Antelope-Horns Milkweed) is a clump-forming perennial of upright or sprawling habit, boasting amazingly intricate, rounded clusters, 2 in. across (5 cm), of tiny flowers, each adorned with 5 upright pale green petals that cup upward over 5 white hoods. Blooming from spring to fall, the flowers are borne atop sturdy stems that are densely covered with minute hairs. They contrast with the foliage of long, narrow, bright green leaves, often folded lengthwise. They give way to green seed pods, which curve to resemble antelope horns. When the seed pods are ripe, they will appear to be a herd of antelopes resting out among the grasses, weeds, and wildflowers.

Asclepias cordifolia (Heartleaf Milkweed) is a perennial wildflower prized for its spreading umbels of dark pink to dark purple flowers produced from late spring to mid-summer. Borne on individual pedicels, the flowers weep downward, resembling small fireworks. They attract pollinators and their nectar supports beneficial insects that are natural predators of many crop pests. They are followed by beautiful elongated seed pods. The large opposite leaves are heart-shaped and their waxy coating gives them a frosted appearance. Monarch butterfly caterpillars eat the leaves, which contain alkaloids that cause the butterfly to be unpalatable to predators. During the fall, each seed pod splits open to release many flat seeds with silky hairs. Native to the western United States, Heartleaf Milkweed grows in dry, rocky areas in woodlands, chaparral, and evergreen forest. Heartleaf Milkweed blooms in its second year. It is a great choice for the butterfly garden and for natural settings.

Noted for its very long blooming season, Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed) is an upright evergreen sub-shrub boasting eye-catching clusters of orange-red flowers adorned with yellow hoods from early summer to fall. The blooms occur on upright stems clad with lance-shaped, fresh green leaves. They give way to long, narrow seed pods in the fall. When the seed pods open, they reveal seeds with long, 3-4 in. (6-10 cm), silvery-white, silky hairs.

Asclepias eriocarpa (Woollypod Milkweed) is an erect perennial boasting intricate clusters, 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), of pink, white, or cream-colored flowers from late spring to mid-fall. Their corollas fold back so that the hoods stand erect over them. Giving off a wax fragrance, the flowers are borne on stout and long pedicels that arise from the leaf axils at the top of the plant. The succulent-looking foliage of lance-shaped, gray-green leaves, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm), is covered with fine hairs giving it a silvery appearance. Flowers are a great source of nectar for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. They give way to large seed pods, covered with long, wholly hairs. A great choice for the flower garden and for natural settings. Most attractive when massed.

Shade tolerant, Asclepias exaltata (Poke Milkweed) is a perennial wildflower prized for its spreading umbels of white to pink flowers produced in summer. Borne on individual pedicels, the flowers weep downward, resembling small fireworks. Strikingly aromatic when in bloom, they are a great source of nectar for butterflies. They are followed by beautiful elongated seed pods. The leaves are opposite, long-stalked, broadly elliptical, with pointed tips. They can be up to 8 in. long (20 cm). During the fall, each seed pod splits open along one side to release its seeds. A great choice for the flower garden and for natural settings.

Asclepias fascicularis (Narrowleaf Milkweed) is a flowering perennial boasting attractive clusters, 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), of lavender and white, starry flowers from early summer to fall. The blooms occur on upright thin stems clad with long, narrow, pointed leaves. They give way to smooth seed pods in the fall, which look great in dried flower arrangements. When the seed pods open, they reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs. Adaptable to high or low water, heat, and all types of soils (including clay), this is one of the easiest and fastest milkweeds to establish

Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) is an erect, clump-forming perennial prized for its brilliant clusters of fragrant, lilac-pink flowers, which bloom continuously for weeks from mid to late summer. Sitting atop upright branching stems, clad with stiff, lance-shaped, taper-pointed leaves, the colorful umbels give way to attractive seed pods in the fall, which persist into winter. Flowers are a great source of nectar for bees, beneficial insects, and butterflies. Milkweeds are host plants for the monarch butterfly.

Asclepias lanceolata (Fewflower Milkweed) is an erect perennial wildflower prized for its umbels of 5-12 bright orange-yellow flowers adorned with a red corolla. Blooming for weeks from early to late summer, they sit atop long, slender purplish stems, clad with narrow, opposite, lanceolate leaves, up to 8 in. long (20 cm). The colorful umbels give way to seed pods that dry and split open as the fruit matures. Flowers are a great source of nectar for butterflies. Fewflower Milkweed is best suited for moist to wet landscapes.

Asclepias linaria (Pine-Needle Milkweed) is an upright subshrub with many erect or ascending stems bearing soft, finely textured, pine needle-like leaves, 1-2 in. long (2-5 cm), along their length. From winter to fall, small clusters of lightly fragrant, creamy-white flowers are borne at the stem tips. They are a great nectar source for butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects. The blossoms give way to tear-shaped seed follicles that open to release their white plumed seeds. Native to the Southwestern U.S., this perennial wildflower is drought and heat-tolerant and makes an attractive desert landscape plant with its interesting shape and unusual flower clusters that attract butterflies and other insects.

Asclepias perennis (Aquatic Milkweed) is an erect perennial boasting flat umbels packed with up to 20-50 white starry flowers, often pinkish along the undersides towards their tips. Blooming from late spring to fall for about 4-8 weeks, the mildly fragrant flowers are a great source of nectar for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. The blooms occur on upright purplish-green stems clad with opposite, short and narrow, green leaves, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm). They give way to smooth pendulous seed pods that split along a single suture to release the seeds. Unlike most Asclepias species which have fluffy seeds that are dispersed by the wind, Aquatic Milkweed has winged seeds that are designed to float on the surface of the water and are dispersed with flood events. Found in areas with soils that are continuously wet such as floodplains, waterway margins, marshes, cypress swamps, ditches, and wetlands, Aquatic Milkweed is a great choice for the bog garden.

Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Balloon Plant) is an upright perennial producing slender stems clad with lance-shaped, pale lime-green leaves. Pendulous clusters of small, white flowers with a slight vanilla scent are borne in the leaf axils in summer. Although not particularly showy, they attract butterflies and are followed by unusual, pale green fruits, almost translucent, covered with soft bristles. They ripen to tan before splitting open in fall and release great quantities of silky-haired seeds to the wind. An unusual addition to sunny beds and borders or large containers. Wonderful in fresh and dried floral arrangements. A real conversation piece!

Resembling Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), Asclepias purpurascens (Purple Milkweed) is a rhizomatous perennial prized for its domed clusters of rich rose-pink, starry flowers, which bloom from late spring to midsummer. Flowers are a great source of nectar for butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects. The blooms occur in the upper leaf axils of upright stems clad with thick, oval, dark green leaves adorned with pointed tips. They give way to smooth seed pods in the fall, which look great in dried flower arrangements. When the seed pods open, they reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs. Attractive and robust, Purple Milkweed tends to spread less aggressively than other milkweed species. A great choice for butterfly gardens, meadows, prairies and for natural settings.

Asclepias quadrifolia (Fourleaf Milkweed) is an upright, single-stemmed perennial clad with a distinctive whorl of four symmetrical, egg-shaped leaves, 2-6 in. long (5-15 cm), along the stem. From late spring to midsummer, tiny, fragrant, white to pinkish flowers open from rosy buds. They are held in charming, up-facing pendant umbels atop the plant's stem. The blossoms are a great nectar source for butterflies and pollinators. They give way to smooth, narrow seed pods in the fall that are valued in dried flower arrangements. Native to the eastern United States and Canada, this perennial wildflower adds interest in the woodland garden, cottage garden or rock garden.

Asclepias speciosa (Showy Milkweed) is an erect, clump-forming perennial prized for its brilliant spherical clusters of fragrant, pinkish-white, starry flowers, which bloom from late spring to early summer. They occur on stalks from the leaf axils and at the top of upright stems clad with velvety, large, oval, blue-green leaves. They give way to prominent seed pods in the fall, which look great in dried flower arrangements.

Adding vertical lines to the landscape, Asclepias subulata (Rush Milkweed) is an evergreen perennial forming a striking bouquet of ascending, gray-green, succulent stems. The stems bear small linear leaves, 2 in. long (5 cm), only after rain, and are naked the rest of the time. From mid-spring to winter, small clusters of creamy-white flowers with reflexed corollas are borne at the stem tips. Opening from creamy yellow buds, they are a great nectar source for butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects. They are also a larval food source for the caterpillars of the monarch and queen butterfly species. The blossoms give way to narrow, smooth, glabrous pods that open to release their white plumed seeds. Native to the Southwestern U.S., this perennial wildflower is drought and heat-tolerant and makes an attractive desert landscape plant with its interesting shape and unusual flower clusters that attract butterflies and other insects. Rush Milkweed is the only evergreen milkweed native to the U.S.

Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) is a rhizomatous perennial prized for its domed clusters of sweetly scented, pinkish-purple, starry flowers, which bloom from early to late summer. The blooms occur in the upper leaf axils of upright stems clad with thick, large, oval, fresh green leaves adorned with red veins. They give way to prominent seed pods in the fall, which look great in dried flower arrangements. When the seed pods open, they reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs. This is one of the easiest and fastest to establish of the milkweeds

Easy care, drought tolerant, and deer resistant, Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) is a bushy perennial prized for its brilliant clusters of bright orange to yellow-orange flowers which bloom continuously throughout summer. Sitting atop upright flowering stems, clad with stiff, lance-shaped leaves, the colorful umbels, 2-5 inches across (5-12 cm), are followed by attractive seed pods in fall. The abundant foliage provides a dark-green backdrop that nicely compliments the cheerful flat umbel flowers. Native to most of the United States and southern Canada, this perennial wildflower has no milky sap, unlike many other milkweeds.

Handsome and tough, Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed) is an upright, unbranched perennial with whorls of long, finely textured, needle-like leaves, 2-3 in. long (5-7 cm), along the length of the stems. From late spring to fall, small clusters of 3-20 fragrant, creamy-white flowers are borne in the upper leaf axils and stem tips. They perfume a wide area and are a great nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds. The blossoms give way to smooth seed pods in the fall, which persist into winter. Seed pods are valued in dried flower arrangements. Native to most of the United States and southern Canada, this perennial wildflower is best in a natural landscape, growing between shorter prairie grasses.

Asclepias viridis (Green Milkweed) is an upright perennial boasting interesting clusters, about the size of a baseball, packed with tiny flowers, each adorned with 5 upright pale green petals that cup upward twice as high as their 5 purple hoods. Blooming from late spring to midsummer, the flowers are borne on sturdy stems clad with long, narrow, pale green leaves, often folded lengthwise. They give way to seed pods that contain seeds attached to fine silk. When the pod splits open, the silk catches the breeze and flies away, carrying the seed.