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Asclepias purpurascens
Purple Milkweed
Asclepias purpurascens, commonly known as Purple milkweed, is a unique species of Asclepias with vibrant, deep purple to rose pink flowers that bloom from May to July. Asclepias purpurascens grow in wet meadows or woodland edges, with a height of 2-3' tall. Purple Milkweed prefers full sun to part shade and well-draining, disturbed soils. Purple milkweed is a host plant to the Monarch butterfly, while also attracting many other pollinators. Various butterflies and native bees that visit the sweet smelling flowers to sip on nectar. Purple Milkweed is a deer and drought tolerant, and spreads by slow rhizomes.
- » Vibrant purple flowers
- » Host plant of the Monarch butterfly
- » Deer resistant
Plant Characteristics
Additional Information
| Height | 12-36 in |
| Hardiness Zone | 3-9 |
| Color |
Purple |
Asclepias purpurascens shares similar characteristics to Asclepias syriaca, except for their umbel of flowers. As the name purpurascens eludes, these flowers produce a gorgeous purple/fuchsia hue that vibrates against the tall meadow grasses it grows among. Also unlike Asclepias syriaca, it is not an aggressive seeder, which makes it a friendlier option for home gardens.
Asclepias purpurascens and Asclepias syriaca are known to to genetically cross-pollinate. This leads to hybrids which do not always carry over vibrant purple flowers.