Hairy Balls Milkweed
Latin name: Asclepias physocarpa
Description: Grown for its large and interesting 2-3” seed pods which are beautiful in arrangements or as a dried flower. Grows large 3-6 feet in height so it needs some room. Host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Plant in warm weather after all danger of frost has passed. Milkweed sap will cause skin and eye irritation so use caution in handling.
Maturity: 120 days
Tender perennial; will not tolerate frost. Grown as an annual in Virginia as it will not overwinter outdoors.
Each seed packet contains 20 or more seeds.
Latin name: Asclepias physocarpa
Description: Grown for its large and interesting 2-3” seed pods which are beautiful in arrangements or as a dried flower. Grows large 3-6 feet in height so it needs some room. Host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Plant in warm weather after all danger of frost has passed. Milkweed sap will cause skin and eye irritation so use caution in handling.
Maturity: 120 days
Tender perennial; will not tolerate frost. Grown as an annual in Virginia as it will not overwinter outdoors.
Each seed packet contains 20 or more seeds.
Latin name: Asclepias physocarpa
Description: Grown for its large and interesting 2-3” seed pods which are beautiful in arrangements or as a dried flower. Grows large 3-6 feet in height so it needs some room. Host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Plant in warm weather after all danger of frost has passed. Milkweed sap will cause skin and eye irritation so use caution in handling.
Maturity: 120 days
Tender perennial; will not tolerate frost. Grown as an annual in Virginia as it will not overwinter outdoors.
Each seed packet contains 20 or more seeds.
Growing:
Germination: seed germinates in 2-3 weeks at 65-70 degrees. Eight to ten weeks before last frost, sow seed in small pots, plastic cups or cell trays in well-moistened seed starter mix; cover seed with ¼ inch of soil and cover pot with plastic to keep soil moist. Cold stratify the planted seed in the refrigerator for one week before moving into a warmer area for germination. Transplant seedlings into 3-4” pots at 3-5 weeks to avoid root binding. Plant into garden after hardening and after all danger of frost has passed.
Prefers full sun.
Grows to 3-6 feet in height; space plants 18+ inches apart.
Prefers well drained soil; tolerates poor soil. Drought tolerant.