Fourleaf Milkweed, Four-Leaved Milkweed, Whorled Milkweed
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 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.
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 |
5 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Common names | Whorled Milkweed, Milkweed |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid) |
| Height | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18" (50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden |
| Hardiness |
5 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Asclepias |
| Common names | Whorled Milkweed, Milkweed |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid) |
| Height | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18" (50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Fragrant, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden |
How many Asclepias quadrifolia (Fourleaf Milkweed) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Asclepias quadrifolia (Fourleaf 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.
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