Flower SeedsHSC-ASC-002-PKT

Milkmaid Asclepias Seed — botanical detail

Milkmaid Asclepias Seed — milkmaid cut white umbels

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Asclepias incarnata

120 - 130Days to maturity

A seed worth growing

Milkmaid Asclepias Seed

Item #HSC-ASC-002-PKT

A creamy white swamp milkweed.

Milkmaid holds creamy white flower clusters on strong stems above narrow, lance-shaped leaves. The tall plants are very even and bloom late in their first summer.

A native North American swamp milkweed and host plant for monarch caterpillars that also draws butterflies and hummingbirds. Hardy in Zones 3–8.

Flowers about 120–130 days from sowing, on plants 30–46" tall.

Specs

Packet: 100 seeds
Average 6,700 seeds per oz.
Plant height: 30–46"

In stock — Packet

$5.80

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Quantity

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Know before you sow

Quick Facts

Latin Name: Asclepias incarnata
Days To Maturity: 120 - 130 days
Life Cycle: Perennial
Product Features

Growing times vary with weather, soil and local conditions.

Growing guide

From seed to harvest

Chill butterfly weed

1–2 weeks cold and moist, then warm to sprout.

Pot up early

Taproots suffer when root-bound; move up at 3–5 weeks.

Sun and drainage

12–24" apart; poor soil is fine.

Cut half open

Mind the milky sap.

Growing Information

Days to germination

About 2–3 weeks at 65–70°F (18–21°C). Butterfly weed (pleurisy root) seed sprouts better after chilling: keep it moist and covered in the refrigerator at 40–50°F (4–10°C) for 1–2 weeks, then move it somewhere warm.

Starting indoors

The best method. Sow 1/4" deep 7–9 weeks before the last frost. Seedlings start a taproot right away and decline fast if they get root-bound, so move them into larger cells or 3–4" pots 3–5 weeks after sowing. Harden off and plant out after the last frost.

Direct sowing

Sow in fall or spring.

Light

Full sun.

Plant height

30–46".

Plant spacing

12–24".

Hardiness

Depends on the variety.

Harvest

Cut when half to two-thirds of the flowers are open. If stems wilt, stand them in water for a day to recover.

Soil

Free-draining sandy loam; tolerates poor soil.

Uses

Cut flowers, borders, containers and butterfly gardens.

Caution

The milky sap can irritate skin and eyes; wear gloves and wash after handling.

Packet

100 seeds.

Seeds per oz.

About 6,700 on average.

Satisfaction Guarantee

We want every packet you buy from Hensley’s Seed Co. to grow well for you.

If anything you order from us doesn’t meet your expectations, just let us know and we’ll replace it or refund what you paid.

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