Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Gold'

A butterfly attracting, hardy, upright, evergreen sub-shrub from South America. Small, golden yellow flowers, are borne from spring through to autumn, in flat clusters, atop the vertical stems, clothed in alternating pairs, of narrow, lance shaped leaves. These are followed by erect, bean-like seed pods, filled with tufts, of silky fibres, to which the seeds are attached. A cheery plant for tucking into odd spots here and there, which it should do itself, by seeding. Removal of dead stems is all the maintenance necessary. Broken parts produce a toxic, milky sap, hence the common name of milkweed. Don't let this prevent you from growing such rewarding, easy care plants. In the nursery we value our Asclepias as they play host to Yellow Aphids and their complimentary predators, Lacewings, Aphidius wasps and several species of Ladybird. They are also the larval food plant of the Monarch, and Lesser wanderer butterflies. We sell the plants with caterpillars, aphids and predators in attendance. Excess aphids are easily smooshed with fingers or all can be nuked with a shot of pyrethrum to the detriment of both your garden and karma.

Improve your karma with this beautiful South America “Milkweed.” Monarch butterflies will reward you + your garden with their love + presence as they lay their eggs on this host plant. Then, of course, you get lots of their fabulous, horned, black, yellow + white-striped caterpillars! This variety makes lovely golden-yellow flowers in 3”-4” clusters on long stems that are excellent for cutting. Cut back in the fall after all the caterpillars are gone. Give it compost in winter and your plant will return with vigor in early spring.