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Asclepias lanceolata (Fewflower Milkweed)

Lanceolated Milkwort, Fewflower Milkweed, Few-flower Milkweed, Red Milkweed

Asclepias lanceolata, Lanceolated Milkwort, Fewflower Milkweed, Few-flower Milkweed, Red Milkweed, Orange Milkweed, Orange flowers

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.

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!

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm)
  • Thrives in full sun in medium to wet soils.
  • Low maintenance, this perennial plant is generally pest and disease free.
  • Perfect for sunny borders, cottage gardens, bog gardens, along ponds or streams, or for naturalizing.
  • Propagate by seed.
  • Stems exude a toxic milky sap when cut.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to savannas, fresh and slightly brackish marshes along and coastal plain from New Jersey into Florida
  • Got questions about milkweed? We have the answers!

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Apocynaceae
Genus Asclepias
Common names Milkweed
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Asclepias eriocarpa (Woollypod Milkweed)
Asclepias subulata (Rush Milkweed)
Asclepias perennis (Aquatic Milkweed)
Asclepias cordifolia (Heartleaf Milkweed)
Asclepias linaria (Pine-Needle Milkweed)
Asclepias purpurascens (Purple Milkweed)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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For the Love of Butterflies: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
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Grow Milkweed, Save Monarch Butterflies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Asclepias (Milkweed)
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Apocynaceae
Genus Asclepias
Common names Milkweed
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Asclepias (Milkweed)
Not sure which Asclepias (Milkweed) to pick?
Compare Now

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