Milkweed, Showy

Asclepias speciosa

Sole food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars, with edible seedpods!

This North American native was nearly eradicated from ditch banks, putting stress on monarch butterflies (Idaho's State Insect!) who rely on it for food. Shoots, pods, silks, and flower buds are edible, with an asparagus-like flavor. Will spread slowly from roots. Open-pollinated.

Seeds grown by Quel Ranch in Garden City, Idaho and sustainably wildcrafted in the Great Basin by Kyle and friends at Native-Seed Company.

50 seeds.

Directions: For best results, give Showy Milkweed a 3-to-4-week period of exposure to cold, moist conditions. Can be direct seeded in late fall to allow for natural stratification during winter. To start indoors, remove seeds from the packet and wrap in a moist (but not sopping wet) coffee filter or paper towel, place in a plastic sandwich bag, then place in a clean glass jar. Store the jar with seeds in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks. Then plant the cold-stratified seed about 1/4-inch deep. Transplant container-grown plants outside after danger of frost when plants are large enough to handle easily.