Asclepias curassavica blooms all summer long and is a magnet to butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators as well as beneficial insects. They tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions, from clay to sand. Asclepias incarnata typically grow from two to four feet (0.6 to 1.2 m) high, making them excellent border plants. The bloodflower, or Asclepias curassavica, is a tropical milkweed that is native to the American tropics, which includes the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. 7 Good Heat-Tolerant Plants to Grow in Containers, How to Grow and Care for String of Dolphins, How to Grow and Care for the Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow Plants. However, many species in the family are poisonous and may cause death in livestock or humans if ingested. Red hues make this cultivar an improvement over its predecessors for end of season color. Be forewarned, however, that you will likely end up with butterfly … It does re-seed and may show up in other parts of the garden next year. Butterflies can’t resist this evergreen perennial. Plant Chemicals. It has flat clusters of bright orange blossoms and blooms from early summer to first frost in most areas. There are also some extra measures you can take if you do plant bloodflowers in your garden to ensure that you are protecting the butterflies and gardening responsibly. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. Plant Height (Inches): 30 to 48 Plant Spread (Inches): 12 to 24 Time of Bloom: Middle of summer to early autumn Flower Details: Pink, Purple Leaf Foliage: Green Fruit: The flowers appear in late spring to late fall on long stems, bearing up to 4 inches (10 cm) long clusters of golden yellow flowers. He dug me up one last year and we loved it. Ideally, Asclepias curassavica seeds should be planted anytime between mid-October and the first freeze. Annual in most of US, perennial in USDA zones 9-11. Bloodflower plants have a long taproot, so they should be planted in a carefully selected spot. Noted for its very long blooming season, Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed) is an upright evergreen sub-shrub boasting eye-catching clusters of orange-red flowers adorned with yellow hoods from early summer to fall. Asclepias tuberosa: Butterfly Weed plants are drought resistant, perennial wildflowers that are native to much of North America. Also known as Tropical milkweed, this is annual that’s sometimes perennial for us when we have a very warm winter. It is simple to propagate, allowing growers to rapidly produce the plant for quick sale. Collect seed pods as … However, research has shown that the use of tropical milkweed in gardens in or near the migratory paths of monarch butterflies can interfere with monarch migration and increase the spread of the protozoan parasite that is found in bloodflowers. Asclepias seeds germinate easily, but they don t like being transplanted, so sow them where you would like them to bloom. You're moving them toward extinction. There are many other types of milkweed but this milkweed is one of the Monarchs favorite host plants. Numerous species of Asclepias have been found to be toxic. Tropical milkweed is a perennial only in zones 8-11. see more; Family Apocynaceae . Bloodflowers may be the perfect choice for you. The genus “Asclepias” is named after the Greek God of Medicine, Asclepios, due to the long regarded medicinal qualities of the plants in this genus. The milkweed genus, Asclepias, is named for the milky substance that the plants exude when cells are damaged. On this cultivar all of the petals and corona are a deep golden yellow. They are also the perfect go-to plant for butterfly gardens as it is a main food source for the caterpillar of the Monarch butterfly. The milkweed being discussed was the tropical variety most widely available in the usual stores, Asclepias curassavica, known commonly as Scarlet or Tropical milkweed. This 2 to 3-foot-tall perennial flowers through the summer and is one of several nectar sources for the adult monarch butterflies. It is native to Central America and South America. It has a much longer flowering period than the perennial milkweeds that are winter hardy in St. Louis. It is noted for attracting wildlife. It is native to South America, but has naturalized worldwide in many tropical and subtropical areas. Tolerates some light shade. Be the first to review this product. Seeds can be sown indoors at any time. Asclepias curassavica (also known as the scarlet milkweed, Mexican butterfly weed, or bloodflower) is a species of milkweed plant.It belongs in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae.It is native to Central America and South America.It is now naturalized around the world. Positive: On May 3, 2005, Kauai17 from Leander, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: My dad has this plant growing wild at his house. It gets flowers from spring to fall. Botanical Name. Asclepias curassavica blooms all summer long and is a magnet to butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators as well as beneficial insects. In harsh winter areas below zone 8, grow in containers and move to a sunny indoor spot before first frost. Not native, naturalized in tropical zones. Blood flower is winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11. I'm a small backyard nursery (and state certified yahoo!). Family: Apocynaceae Subfamily:Asclepiadoideae Tribe:Asclepiadeae Subtribe:AsclepiadinaeGenus: Asclepias Common Name(s): Annual Milkweed; Blood Flower; Tropical Milkweed; Phonetic Spelling as-KLEE-pee-as kur-a-SA-vih-ka This plant has medium severity poison characteristics. Bloodflower, Swallow-wort, Butterfly Weed, Mexican Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed Asclepias curassavica is Naturalized in Texas and other States, and is a magnet for butterflies. As with other milkweed varieties, all parts of the bloodflower are toxic if ingested. Over with a very light layer of fine soil … Additionally, native milkweed plants in the range of monarch butterfly migrations die back after blooming. Plant / Seed / Vegetative reproduction, Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? Other websites. Boasting stunning orange, yellow, and red flowers, bloodflowers are a great addition to any garden or container garden. Perfect for naturalizing into wild, native and wildlife gardens. Prune to the base periodically to rejuvenate plant. Check the label for the scientific name to avoid confusing this plant with a native milkweed species. Cut back the plants in the fall to ensure they don’t go to seed. Plant it in the full sun in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. My gardening philosophy is if the plant thrives with minimal care, is native and encourages pollinators to visit, I'll give it a spot in my yard, somewhere. Start seed indoors in pots 8-10 weeks before last spring frost date. Butterfly Weed plants are hardy in USDA zones 3-9. The “Silky Mix,” or Asclepias curassavica, has several beautiful variations of the original A. tuberosa. Tropical milkweed is easy to grow and will provide cheerful flowers throughout the summer. How to Grow and Care for Butterfly Weed Plants. Thrives in slightly sandy to loamy, well-drained soil. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful varieties of milkweed, which has made it a popular addition to butterfly gardens across the United States as gardeners swapped out their native milkweed varieties for this tropical variety. It produces bunches of orange, yellow, and red tubular blooms for months. 2191. Asclepias currasavica is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a showstopper. The flowers are pollinated by Wasps, Bees, Butterflies. The most recent article about the monarch butterfly in the New York Times has once again raised the question of whether we should be planting non-native milkweed. The leaves are arranged oppositely on the stems and are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate shaped ending in acuminate or acute tips. It’s a heat lover, so can fill in spots where in winter and spring you plant cool-weather annuals. Bloodflower, Red Butterfly Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed. Asclepias curassavica is an evergreen, perennial subshrub up to 3.3 feet (1 m) tall with pale gray stems. Monthly regional plant care reminders by gardening expert Pat Hammerto create your own personalized gardening to-do list on theMulch.com for free. Asclepias curassavica is commonly known by many names, including Mexican butterfly weed, bloodflower, and tropical milkweed. It is the host plant for Monarch and Queen butterfly caterpillars. Not native, naturalized in tropical zones. I know your intentions are good, but you're not helping the beautiful little pollinators. Asclepias curassavica (also known as the scarlet milkweed, Mexican butterfly weed, or bloodflower) is a species of milkweed plant. All but the least toxic have a toxicity of 2% or greater. Bloodflowers grow best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade when grown outdoors. The flowers are a great source of nectar for butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects. This is especially true in states that are warm all year round because the bloodflowers remain evergreen and monarch butterflies will often choose not to migrate at all. Moist, well-drained soil. Many Florida species used in the landscape prefer dry, sandy soil and are moderately drought tolerant. Asclepias curassavica is an evergreen, perennial subshrub up to 3.3 feet (1 m) tall with pale gray stems. The plant is self-fertile. Ensure you are following all pruning recommendations for bloodflowers if you choose to grow them in warmer US climates. Silky Scarlet is a tropical species that is a perennial in frost-free regions and an annual in regions that experience freezing temperatures. Asclepias tuberosa is easily grown from seed that can be sown in the garden in spring or any time up to two months before the first frost. In general, very little milkweed winter care is needed. Grows best in light, rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil in full sun. To ensure that seeds of Tropical milkweed will germinate in springtime, they should be planted under one-quarter inch of soil (7 mm) and watered. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11. Asclepias curassavica (Blood Flower) Monthly Plant Care … The slender leaves are 2"-3" long and fuzzy. Blooms late August until frost. Asclepias curassavica can grow later in the year than native milkweed species, prompting monarchs to breed at times when they should be overwintering. Tropical Growing Tips: Start cuttings or buy plants for full season bloom period. Taking cuttings at season’s end to place in water overwinter. Asclepias curassavica grow and care – subshrub or shrub of the genus Asclepias also known as  Tropical milkweed or Mexican butterfly weed, Asclepias curassavica perennial evergreen plant, used as ornamental plant and attract pollinator, can grow in tropic, mediterranean or subtropical, temperate, climate and grow in hardiness zone of 8+. Red-head cotton bush (Asclepias curassavica) was recently ranked among the top 200 most invasive plants in south-eastern Queensland, and it is mainly a concern in riparian areas and wetlands in this region. Silky Gold Milkweed - Asclepias curassavica, unusual clusters of pure golden-yellow blooms, 3" flowers attract butterflies all summer until frost. Monarch and Queen butterflies lay their eggs on this plant so that the emerging caterpillars can feed on the foliage. Plant life … Red and yellow flowers bloom summer through fall . The bloodflower, or Asclepias curassavica, is a tropical milkweed that is native to the American tropics, which includes the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Asclepiadaceae (the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory) Apocynaceae (Queensland and New South Wales) Common Names. Growing speed of the plant: Average growing plants, Fast growing plants. Annual in most of US, perennial in USDA zones 9-11. References Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. A. Tuberosa Seeds, ... Asclepias become hardy and easy to care for within a few weeks. Asclepias curassavica contains several cardiac glycosides which include asclepin, calotropin, uzarin and their free genins, calactin, coroglucigenin and uzarigenin. Germination takes 3-4 weeks at 70° F. Plant in full sun, 8-12 inches apart. 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