Milkweed or Silkweed -- "Silky Gold"

Asclepias is one of the "must have" plants for your butterfly garden, especially if you want to attract Swallowtails.  Of the family Asclepiadaceae it is cultivated for its profusion of flowers and as a food source for butterfly caterpillars.

Plant Facts:

Common Name:   Milkweed or Silkweed -- "Silky Gold"

Botanical Name:   Asclepias curassavica

Family:  Asclepiadaceae

Plant Type:  Perennial evergreen subshrub, often grown as an annual

Origin: South Africa, temperate and tropical North and South America

Zones: 8 - 11

Height:  to 3'

Rate of Growth: Fast from seed or cuttings

Salt Tolerance: Low

Soil Requirements:  Rich, moist, but well-drained soil

Water Requirements: Medium drought tolerance

Nutritional Requirements: Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, side dressings of composted manure

Light Requirements: Full sun

Form:  Subshrub

Leaves:  To 6" long, mid-green, elliptic-lance-shaped.

Flowers: Umbel-like cymes, golden-yellow, from summer to autumn

Fruits: Erect fruit to 3" long.

Pests or diseases:  Rust, fungal leaf spots, aphids and mealybugs.

Uses:  Attractive to bees and butterflies, useful as a showy border plant.

Bad Habits: 

Cost:  $ -- Very reasonable

Propagation:  Seed or cuttings

Sources:  AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A-Z ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDEN PLANTS