Davis Showy Milkweed Seed Packet

My friend Paul introduced me to this morphological variant of Showy Milkweed when I was a teenager and convinced me to grow it in my parents’ backyard in Danville, California because it was so unusual. This variant grows in central California in agricultural settings such as orchards and the edges of crop fields. It is different than Showy Milkweed as it grows at sea level and the flowers are are unique when compared to that of the classic Showy Milkweed. I started calling this morphological variant Davis Showy Milkweed to differentiate it from the classic Showy Milkweed. The flowers are wonderfully fragrant.

The Facts:

• Latin name: Asclepias speciosa 'Davis'
• Quantity of seeds per packet: 25
• Monarch butterfly host plant
• Fragrant star shaped pink and white flowers
• Native to California
• Hardy perennial
• 36" - 60" tall
• Blooms from May until August
• Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 - 11

Growing Instructions: Start Davis Showy Milkweed seeds outdoors in late November. Pick a location with full sun and prepare soil for good drainage, if needed. Plant seeds 1/8" deep and 18” apart, using 3 seeds per hole. Water once, and then allow the winter rain and/or snow to provide moisture until the spring. The seeds will germinate 10 - 20 days after the danger of nighttime freezing has past. Once the seedlings reach 1", thin out so you have individual plants spaced 18” apart. Water regularly allowing the soil to go nearly dry between each watering. Fertilize monthly in the summer with a general purpose fertilizer. If you prefer to plant the seeds outdoors in the spring, read our detailed instructions on cold moist stratification.

Davis Showy Milkweed is native to the following state: California