Native Plant of the Moment - Asclepias speciosa (Part 2)


In June, I was happy to report that the showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) was blooming. No monarch butterflies just yet, but healthy, happy plants.

By late July things got even more interesting. The flowers had faded, only to be replaced by huge seedpods. Almost 3 inches long and green.


I was impressed, and of course I was wondering: "What's inside?" A few weeks ago, the mystery was solved. I had expected some truly huge seeds, but I was wrong.


The seeds were decent sized, maybe the size of a sesame seed, but each carried its own little parachute. And because the seeds weren't actually tiny, a big parachute was needed. Over the weeks, most have disappeared. I see them at times in various places in the garden. Maybe one will reseed, maybe not. For now, I'm just enjoying the show, and looking forward to next year's blossoms.

Comments

Bec said…
what an interesting plant
Lisa said…
Do you think you could send me some seeds, next year?

We could trade. I've got a couple different milkweeds.
Joe said…
I love milkweeds. I can't wait 'til my narrow-leaf ones finish setting their seeds. I had lots of monarchs stop by at mine. So cool. :)
James said…
While I have no milkweeds in the garden I occasionally walk past a couple of plantings of them. The progression you describe is really dramatic, especially when the pods burst, something like a dandelion wrapped up in a package with a big bow being opened up...
ryan said…
nice. asclepias are one of the most fun plants to grow. we used to have some but don't right now. i like the seeds. they drift around like cotton or something.