Narrowleaf milkweed or Mexican whorled milkweed is a flowering perennial sending up many thin, erect stems and bearing distinctive long pointed leaves which are very narrow and often whorled about the stem, giving the plant its common names. Whorled Milkweed is a native perennial wildflower found in the sandhills, thin woodlands and barren outcroppings in all areas of NC and most of the US east of the Rockies. From late spring to fall, small clusters of 3-20 fragrant, creamy-white flowers are borne in the upper leaf axils and stem tips. For instance, plants in the milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae, (don't let the name intimidate you), secrete a milky sap (except for Butterfly Milkweed) and opposite or sometimes whorled leaves. Leaves: The leaves are whorled.Each leaf is very narrow and entire. Western whorled milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata) is a common plant found in the lower elevations of Colorado and surrounding states. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wikimedia Commons has media related to Asclepias verticillata. Over 75 choices that will bloom in the second year and for years to come. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included. Whorled Milkweed also called Asclepias verticillata is an upright perennial with stems that have" whorled" needle-like leaves. Plant Type: This is a herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 80cm in height (32inches). long (5-7 cm), along the length of the stems. Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. It flow- across). JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. I had high hopes for these dainty little plants at the start of the year, as shown by their prominent position smack dab in the middle of the front yard sidewalk garden. Its narrow leaves blend in with the grasses among which the plant typically grows. Help the birds, bees, butterflies & hummingbirds by planting wildflowers. Remarks: Thin leaves seem to be favoured by momma Monarchs later in the summer, when the leaves of Common Milkweed have become mature and tough. If you have any questions, please call us at (877) 309-7333. It grows to be about 2 feet tall, has white/greenish white flowers, and gets the classic milkweed seed pods that burst open in fall. Support local wildlife with native wildflowers. As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. Zooming in reveals the intricate detail of each bloom, and slight pink and yellow coloring. Required fields are marked *. There are clusters of approximately 20 flowers near the top of each plant. Fourleaf, or whorled milkweed, is a slender, single-stemmed perennial with round clusters of usually pink flowers. It is found in pinelands throughout much of Florida. Narrow-leaved Milkweed (Asclepias stenophylla) is an exception, because its linear leaves are almost as narrow. Over 110 choices for fast color, such as poppies, cosmos, sunflowers, zinnia, and many more. During the fall, seed pods are also long and slender. According to the website Monarch Butterfly Garden, you shouldn’t rely on it as your main milkweed source for caterpillars, or you may run out of milkweed by mid-season.Whorled milkweed blooms later than other milkweeds with white flowers July thru September. Due to its narrow leaves and stems, this species blends in with grasses and is easily overlooked when not in bloom. Tony, I’ve been concerned about my milkweed leaves turning purple and dropping off. This Labor Day weekend, the weather has transitioned from highs of 80 with sun on Saturday to 60 with rain on Monday. Similar species: Swamp Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed, Dwarf Milkweed. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. I am betting they won’t disappoint! I’ve removed each purple leaf and examined them carefully. The stem usually branches only near the top. These plants are supposed to spread 5 inches by roots next year, so I am looking forward to a multiplication of the delicate whorled foliage and flowers. It is getting to the “reflective” time of the gardening year. It begins on the edges of the leaves and gradually the whole leaf becomes purple. Whorled Milkweed is readily distinguished from other milkweed species in Illinois by its more narrow leaves (only 2-3 mm. This is happening on both our ground-planted swamp milkweed and also on our potted tropical milkweed plants. It grows to be about 2 feet tall, has white/greenish white flowers, and gets the classic milkweed seed pods that burst open in fall. Do NOT disturb roots, especially tap roots. Small clusters of white flowers bloom a little later in the season providing color in your garden when most flowers have disappeared. As the flowers fade, the plant produces the classic milkweed seed pods. If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will 12-24" tall, 12-24" wide. When not in bloom, it is easily overlooked. After blooming narrow seed pods open releasing seeds with silky strings distributed by the wind. Like all milkweeds, Whorled milkweed is a larval host plant for the Monarch butterfly. Whorled Milkweed, Whorled-leaf Milkweed, Horsetail Milkweed, a picture of the stem showing the leaves. Step by step instructions on how to plant your spring-planted flower bulbs when they arrive. The outer portions are pink, while the centers are white or pastel green. Find mixtures for your region, or for special uses such as dry areas, partial shade, attracting animals, low growing, and more. Small clusters of white flowers bloom a little later in the season providing color in your garden when most flowers have disappeared. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery, © 2020 AmericanMeadows.com All rights reserved, Find the Right Perennials for Your Garden, Watch Our Spring-Planted Flower Bulb Videos, Watch Our Fall-Planted Flower Bulb Videos, Shipping begins the week of May 10th, 2021, Shipping begins the week of May 3rd, 2021, Shipping begins the week of April 19th, 2021, Shipping begins the week of April 5th, 2021, Shipping begins the week of March 29th, 2021, Shipping begins the week of March 22nd, 2021, Free Ground Shipping Right To Your Event Or Business, Attract Pollinators & Do Good For The Environment. Mexican whorled milkweed is two to four feet tall. Look out for some upcoming before and after posts of the yard this year, as I document the changes that took place in 2020. The caterpillars in the greenhouse prefered this species to all others! (Asclepias verticillata). It likes dry sandy, clayey or rocky soil in sun or part shade and can be found growing in a variety of environments from hill prairies to woodland openings. I bought 6 whorled milkweed from Blazing Star Gardens in Owatonna this spring. However, this latter species has leaves that are alternate to nearly opposite along its stems, rather … Whorled milkweed is different from other types of milkweed because it has whorls (or circular arrangements) of thin leaves around the stem of the plant. Milkweed is easy to grow, and helps  save the Monarchs. Recently, few flowers remain and only seed pods are left on the tops of the plants, making a sculptural addition to the garden. Among the milkweeds, the whorled milkweed is one of the few clone forming species. Forming whorls, the opposite, lance-like to narrow leaves are six inches long. Asclepias fascicularis is a flowering perennial sending up many thin, erect stems and bearing distinctive long pointed leaves which are very narrow and often whorled about the stem, giving the plant its common names. Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed) has very skinny, "whorled" leaves. The thin linear leaves are arranged in whorls along the stem and the white flowers appear in small clusters May to Sept. Handsome and tough, Asclepias verticillata (Whorled Milkweed) is an upright, unbranched perennial with whorls of long, finely textured, needle-like leaves, 2-3 in. Whorled Milkweed earns it's name from it's skinny, "whorled leaves". The white flowers can be a greenish-white on some plants. Crown of plant should rest just at or above the soil surface after watering in. It feels like the dial has been switched over from summer to fall, and all day sweater season has begun! Flowers in the typical milkweed form, in small umbels arising from upper leaf nodes, white to greenish white, with 6–20 flowers per umbel. 50% Off Spring-Planted Bulbs - Pre-Order For Spring. Native to central and eastern North America this Asclepias likes drier conditions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its fragrant flowers appear later than most other milkweeds from July to September. So much beauty packed into little half inch flowers! If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. It is found in pinelands throughout much of Florida. Especially since this was their first year in the garden. Monarchs will lay their eggs and the larvae (caterpillars) will enjoy a late season feast. Whorled milkweed is an important food source for Monarch Butterflies. Flowers are technically in loose umbels, either upright or drooping, from 1 to 3 umbels per plant, light pink or cream-colored, nicely fragrant. The thin whorled leaves grant a delicate texture which combines well with other plants of lower stature in an interplanted design or a rock garden. All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested! You can barely see them, but they are there! Milkweed species with whorled, narrow leaves are typically more toxic than species with broad leaves. I was really impressed, however, when the first signs of flower buds showed up on the plants. There are 5 separate sepals (petal-like leaves) and 5 fused petals. Less water, less mowing, and no pesticides. Just days later and the first flowers opened up! Click here to view our General Gardening Guides. As the season progressed, the thin foliage was a nice contrast to the neighboring sedum and ornamental grasses. If anything we sell fails to grow in your garden, we will replace or refund your order. The plant that always seems to grab my eye with constant change is the whorled milkweed. Whorls of 3 to 6 leaves are densely packed along the stem but spread out as the plant matures. It is distinguished from other milkweeds by its smooth, needle-like, whorled leaves arranged on a generally unbranched stem. Whorled Milkweed plant 8 days after being planted. Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Bee Friendly, Deer Resistant, Native. Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) Whorled Milkweed is also known as Whorled leaf Milkweed. Flowering from mid-Summer to Fall, the blooms are mostly whitish-green or white. As mentioned in prior posts, I’ve added several types of native plants to the yard this year, primarily in the front yard gardens that I expanded in spring. Learn about varieties which help to replenish nutrients to your soil. More Butterfly host plants. The plants started blooming in late July and have continued blooming through early September. Asclepias verticillata, commonly known as whorled milkweed or horsetail milkweed, is one of the milkweeds used as a host plant by Monarch caterpillars for food. The lack Looking back on the growing season, it has been a time of learning and growing in my knowledge of gardening design and plants. Whorled milkweed is an herbaceous perennial, usually unbranched but occasionally with a few branches toward the tip. Slender and add a nice texture to the roadside. temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter. Whorled Milkweed also called Asclepias verticillata is an upright perennial with stems that have" whorled" needle-like leaves. It can be highly toxic to many species of livestock. Occasionally, they’re purplish or pink-rose. The leaves are arranged in whorls of 3 to 6 and are glabrous or covered with minute hairs. Whorled milkweed is one of the smaller, more delicate native milkweeds. It’s fun learning about the whorled milkweed! Sign Up For Our Best DealsAnd get $5 off your first qualifying order. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. When not in bloom, it is easily overlooked. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (877) 309-7333 or contact us by email. In 2010 in coastal Santa Clara County, California, milkweed plants were affected by an undescribed leaf spot disease. Showy milkweed has oval to oblong-shaped opposite leaves Whorled milkweed is one of the smaller, more delicate native milkweeds. The butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed and the larve (catapillars) feast on the leaves. Whorled Milkweed ( Asclepias verticillata) I bloom best in full sun to part shade. Blooms May–July. To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low You have entered an invalid zip code, please check your zip code and try again. WHORLED MILKWEED (Asclepias mexicana) Whorled milkweed is a descriptive name for a useless plant. In addition, the leaves are often folded upwards along the midvein. It … Flowers bloom June through September in small white clusters. Field Horsetail is a spore-bearing plant that lacks true flowers. Mexican whorled milkweed contains potent neurotoxins and is often responsible for the poisoning of livestock that eat the plant. Asclepias verticillata, (Whorled milkweed) General Description. "Whorled" because the leaves are produced in whorls at regular intervals along the stem, and "milkweed" because the foliage contains a white milky juice. Alternate or opposite leaves are two to six inches long and wider than those of Whorled Milkweed. Once hatched, the butterflies consume the flower nectar for energy. Sap is milky. DESCRIPTION: Whorled Mi lkweed is an herbaceous perennial in the Dogbane family (Apocynaceae) found on dry, open or lightly-shaded rock outcrops, balds, and slopes. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Its narrow leaves blend in with the grasses among which the plant typically grows. Here they are on the hour long car ride back to our house. , Your email address will not be published. Whorled Milkweed can bloom anytime between July and September, which is later in the year than many other Milkweeds. For information on availability or to return to the list of plants, please click Plants. Asclepias verticillata Asclepias verticillata Whorled Milkweed is a Michigan Native and one of the most broadly distributed of all milkweeds in the United States . Like all milkweeds, Whorled milkweed is a larval host plant for the Monarch butterfly. Wildflower seeds native to your region. I have average water needs. My greenish white blooms and leaves are small, but still attractive to … Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. Habitat Trying to get a picture of a seed pod swaying back and forth on the top of a 2 foot stem results in many pictures like the following. The only thing that remains to be seen out of these plants is the bursting open of the seed pods, and what fall color will look like. Asclepias verticillata, commonly known as whorled milkweed, is an upright perennial that typically grows to 2.5’ tall on simple, usually unbranched stems clad with long, narrow, sessile, needle-like, linear leaves (each 2-3” long) with revolute margins arranged in whorls of 3 to 6 at each node along the length of the stems. Whorled milkweed is different from other types of milkweed because it has whorls (or circular arrangements) of thin leaves around the stem of the plant. Pods are also excellent additions to bouquets. Initial symptoms consisted of grey-green, irregularly shaped patches on leaves. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat. Whorled Milkweed earns it's name from it's skinny, "whorled leaves". During the blooming season in middle to late summer, Butterfly Milkweed can be differentiated by its distinctly orange flowers. Leaves and stem: Leaves are up to 3 inches long and very narrow, less than 1/8 inch wide, with a prominent central vein. Whorled milkweed is distinguished by its whorles of very narrow leaves. 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 … When planting this perennial you can be proud to be supporting the Monarch population. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. Whorled milkweed is an attractive 1-2’ tall perennial with clusters of 10-20 small, greenish-white flowers in the axils of the upper leaves. Cool post, Hon! Thinking about what worked well, what I’d like to adjust, and all the beauty that was part of this summer in the yard. Prepare to entertain many types of pollinators such as butterflies, and bees with this Asclepias. It blooms in clusters of lavender, pale pink, purple, white, to greenish shades of flowers. This small milkweed spreads to form attractive drifts. Delicate three-to-four inch pods form later in the season as the leaves turn to yellow and orange, providing interest well into autumn. Native to central and eastern North America this Asclepias likes drier conditions. Your email address will not be published. Mexican whorled milkweed has lanceolate leaves around 6 inches long and 0.75 inch wide. This native milkweed is a host for the monarch caterpillar. of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest). Leaves opposite or whorled. Whorled milkweed’s narrow needle-like leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers add delicate texture to natural plantings, butterfly gardens, and prairies. Why Buy Seed Favors For Your Promotion Or Event: Step by step instructions on how to plant your bare root or potted perennials when they arrive. Blooms May–September. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door. Prepare to entertain many types of pollinators such as butterflies, and bees with this Asclepias. Inch flowers ( catapillars ) feast on the milkweed and the larvae ( caterpillars ) will enjoy late! Gradually the whole leaf becomes purple called Asclepias verticillata is an upright perennial with stems have..., sunflowers, zinnia, and bees with this Asclepias likes drier conditions if your requires... No pesticides the roadside which can reach 80cm in height ( 32inches ) only 2-3 mm later most. 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