Purple Milkweed

Asclepias purpurescens

Purple Milkweed is the rarest milkweed in eastern native plant cultivation. it's naturally uncommon across its range and rarely offered by nurseries. The flowers are a deep, rich purple-magenta, considerably more saturated than the pink of common milkweed, and they carry the same sweet fragrance but in a more compact, refined package. Like all milkweeds it's a monarch host plant and a major pollinator resource, but the flower color alone makes it worth seeking out. It tolerates part shade better than most milkweeds, which opens up planting spots that Butterfly Weed or Common Milkweed can't access. In woodland edges, lightly shaded borders, and dappled sun situations, Purple Milkweed fills the milkweed role beautifully where other species would struggle. The rich color photographs exceptionally well. Stock is always limited.