Larval host of the iconic Monarch Butterfly. Open-pollinated, native wildflower seeds in hand-printed packages.
US Native Plant. A low, clump forming perennial covered in clusters of brilliant orange summer blooms. Develops spindle-shaped milkweed pods with silky seeds in the late summer and fall.
FAUNA: A larval host of the monarch butterfly, the plant provides critical food supply to monarch caterpillars and nectar to adult butterflies. A food source to bumble bees, solitary bees, hummingbirds, wasps, beetles, and other butterfly/moth species. The root has historically been used in medicinal teas. Excellent cut flower, seed pods are ornamental.
ORIGIN/ CULTURE: Native to New Hampshire to South Dakota, South to Arizona, Mexico, and Florida. Sandy soils and prairies, open woods.
HEIGHT: 1-3’
ZONES 3-9, sun to part sun
GERMINATION: Sow outdoors in fall. For indoor or spring planting, cold stratify seeds at 40 degrees F (fridge temperature) for 30 days before sowing to mimic winter cold period. An easy method is to put the seeds in the fridge in a resealable bag mixed with a small amount of barely moist growing medium or sand.
