Milkweed-Whorled (Asclepias verticillata) (Florida Native)

Milkweed- Whorled

Asclepias verticillata

Asclepias verticillata, the whorled milkweed, eastern whorled milkweed, or horsetail milkweed, is a species of milkweed native to most all of eastern North America and parts of western Canada and the United States. Whorled Milkweed is quite common and is considered an important food source for the Monarchs as they start their spring migration northward. Whorled Milkweed can adapt to almost any Florida soil type. Save the well amended areas for the fruits and veggies. Native to most of the US, Whorled Milkweed is very heat and  fairly drought tolerant when established, however it appreciates regular watering throughout it's early days. It prefers and tolerates very rocky or sandy areas but can also tolerate long periods of wet conditions, making this a great choice for Florida gardens. They adapt well to low prairies, pastures, and even ditches. Direct sow in the Fall to let the seeds over-winter for a Spring and Summer bloom. If planting seeds in the late Winter to Summer, the seeds need 2-4 weeks of cold/wet stratification. Whorled Milkweed forms a 1-3" long rhizome, which it will come back from year after year, and will even spread from the underground rhizome.