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. Beautiful elongated seed pods follow them. 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.
Milkweed plants belong to the Apocynaceae family, which includes other flowering plants such as oleander, hoya, plumeria, and the desert rose.
Milkweed plants are critical to monarch butterflies‘ survival, whose population in North America has plummeted by 90% in the last 20 years. By planting milkweed in your own garden, you can help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects!
| Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Common names | Milkweed, Poke Milkweed |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height | 2' - 6' (60cm - 180cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| Tolerance | Deer |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
| Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Common names | Milkweed, Poke Milkweed |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height | 2' - 6' (60cm - 180cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| Tolerance | Deer |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Asclepias exaltata (Poke Milkweed) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Asclepias exaltata (Poke Milkweed) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
