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Whorled Milkweed

Asclepias verticillate

Regular price $4994
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Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Native, Low Maintenance, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Attracts Butterflies, and Attracts pollinators

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Asclepias verticillate
  • Height
    1-3 ft
  • Width
    1 ft
  • Growing Zones
    4-9
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
  • Growth Rate
    Moderate
  • Flower Color
    • White
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
  • Fall Color
    Yellow
  • Native
    Yes
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Bloom Period
    Early Summer, Late Summer
  • Does Not Ship To
    AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Give Whorled Milkweed a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily (full sun). While it will tolerate a bit of afternoon shade, insufficient sunlight will drastically reduce the number of flowers and the quantity of foliage available for the monarch caterpillars.
  • Soil: This plant is wonderfully unfussy and prefers average to poor, well-drained soil. It thrives in sandy or rocky locations. If you have heavy clay, make sure to amend the planting hole liberally with gravel or coarse compost to ensure sharp drainage, as standing water is its biggest enemy.

Watering Requirements

For the first growing season, keep the soil consistently moist—think daily or every-other-day watering—to help the root system establish itself. Once mature, Whorled Milkweed is exceptionally drought-tolerant, acting as a reliable workhorse in dry conditions. If you allow the plant to become severely parched, you may see stressed, yellowing leaves and smaller seed pods, which can impact the next generation of monarchs.

Pruning Tips

Like most herbaceous perennials, Whorled Milkweed blooms on new wood that emerges each spring. In late winter or very early spring, before you see any new growth, simply cut the previous year's dead stems back to the ground. This cleanup encourages robust new growth and helps keep the area tidy. For a bushier, shorter plant, you can apply the "Chelsea chop" technique by cutting stems back by one-third around early June, delaying the bloom but improving structure.

Fertilizer Needs

This plant is accustomed to lean environments, so generally, no fertilizer is needed. If you feel your soil is extremely poor, a single light application of a slow-release, balanced granular fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) in early spring is plenty. The main "what to avoid" tip is to steer clear of high-nitrogen formulas. Too much nitrogen encourages soft, floppy green growth instead of strong, flower-producing stems, which defeats the purpose of planting this excellent pollinator resource.

Turning that dry, infertile spot in your yard into a fantastic show of color and filling it with the flutter of wings has never been easier! Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillate) is so much more than its name implies and can add texture and height to borders, native gardens, and pollinator paradises!

Whorled Milkweed grows from a single strong stem each spring. As summer takes hold, this flower will sprout clusters of small cream-colored florets. Each petite blossom also sports a buttery yellow center. All along the stem, there are slender, elongated leaves that curve downward in a gentle and elegant swoop. Together, this perennial is quite appealing to look at.

As pretty as the plant is, it hardly compares to the beautiful pollinators it will bring to your garden! Whorled Milkweed is a known favorite of Monarch butterflies! They lay their eggs on these leaves and eat them, create their cocoons on them, and then hatch to feed on the flowers as adults. You'll have these noble creatures visiting you from near and far as they travel. If you're a butterfly lover, this specimen is still a must-have!

Planting and Application:

Planting a few of these in your garden also ensures a consistent subtle perfume. The flower clusters are lightly fragrant from the time they bloom in the summer all the way until fall fully sets in. Growing about 3 feet in height and under 2 feet in width, these are tidy plants to include in any wildflower garden, cottage bed or border!

Ideal in cut flower gardens and especially useful for pollinator gardens! These host plants feed Monarch butterfly caterpillars and the flowers feed the adults. But not just the illustrious Monarch, but other butterflies and pollinators as well - even a hummingbird or two will stop by to visit! Delight kids by including these easy-care plants in your Children or Sensory gardens as well!

  • Fragrant White Flower Clusters
  • Unique Slender Leaves
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Easy to Grow!
  • Hardy Perennial for Beds, Borders & Pollinator Gardens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Whorled Milkweed is native to North America and can grow in a wide array of conditions. It grows best in well-drained soil somewhere it can bask in the sun for hours. It can, however, tolerate light shade. This Milkweed type isn't picky about the composition of the soil at all, in fact, this highly xeric plant prefers soil that other plants detest - as there is less competition for sunlight.

  • Full Sun
  • Low Moisture Needs Once Established
  • Adaptable to Most Soil
  • Prune Back in Early Spring
  • Deer Resistant & Very Easy to Grow & Care For

There are few plants that attract butterflies, especially Monarch Butterflies, like the Whorled Milkweed! Add one to your garden today for a wondrous winged celebration each year! Order this beneficial perennial today from NatureHills.com!

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