Leaves 2 inches long by 1/8-inch-wide appear on new growth but soon drop. Maintain the soil line (make sure the soil is up to the same point on the plant that it was when the plant was in the pot). Native Distribution Desert Milkweed typically grows in sandy washes and less frequently on desert plains or rocky hillsides. Asclepias erosa, also known as desert milkweed, and Asclepias cordifolia, known as heart-leaf milkweed, would be … The Garden will be closed Dec. 25. I love desert milkweeds--they're one of my favorites. Others have considered it toxic. Common name: Desert Milkweed Latin name: Asclepias erosa Family: ASCLEPIADACEAE Color: Cream, greenish white Height: 18 to more than 36 inches tall. Grows to be 2-3 feet tall by 2-3 feet wide. The stems and leav… It is winter dormant, but grows quickly to 3’ to 6’ tall in the spring. Plant milkweed — it’s the sole food source for monarch caterpillars and is attractive to many pollinators for its nectar-rich flowers. Arizona milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia), Antelope horns milkweed (Asclepias asperula). It is native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it is most abundant in the desert regions. I just plant them (barely covered in soil) in moist potting soil and water them when they're just starting to get dry, and I … Desert Milkweed is a regal vase-shaped perennial with grey green stems. Find milkweed grown at the Garden in our Garden Shop and biannual plant sales. It may be hairless to very fuzzy. In the United States, loss of milkweed habitat is a major factor in the decline of the monarchs. You will now enter our LEARN portal, if you are a member, please login using the button on the top right corner of the page. Propagation: Growing native milkweeds to build habitat, Expanding Monarch Habitat: Planting habitat and milkweed at schools and community centers, Milkweed Research: Finding the best native milkweeds to support monarch and pollinator populations. Milkweed is best grown in naturalized areas and meadows as it tends to spread and take over more formal garden settings. Plant in … The plant’s spread can reach 2 feet or more. Walk-ups are only permitted as capacity allows. species known to exist in ... consulting native or Western health care workers. Dig the hole only as deep as the roots but twice as wide. I mixed a pot of 2/3 well composted cow manure (very fine black crumbly), and 1/3 all purpose sand. Description Desert Milkweed, Asclepias subulata,  has slender gray-green stems that grow vertically to 4 feet from a woody base. Asclepias gigantean) is a quaint shrub or small tree with plenty of character. You can learn more about Desert Milkweed and other plants on our Arizona Low-Water-Use Plants page. Book: Rubber Content and Habits of a Second Desert Milkweed (Asclepias Erosa) of Southern California and Arizona Ralph E. Beckett, Edward N. Duncan, Robert S. Stitt U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1938 - 11 pages I've started dozens of them from seeds and they're very gratifying. The stems contain a milky sap that is a food source for butterflies. Where can I purchase Desert Milkweed, and how/when would I go about planting it in Yuma, Arizona? Monarch larvae (caterpillars) will only feed on milkweeds in the Asclepias family. Also, be sure to read through all of our featured Plant of the Month blogs! The pests are usually seasonal and don’t seriously stunt the plants. The range of desert milkweed extends from western Arizona and southern Nevada, into southeastern California and Baja California, Sonora, and Sinaloa, Mexico. Arizona Milkweed or Asclepias angustifolia is another great variety to try. Set the soil aside. The plants are also enjoyed by the Monarch look-alike, the Queen Butterfly. Keep the soil moist by misting, but seeds can rot if allowed to sit in soggy soil. Visit our page on Choosing and Planting Low Water-Use Plants for tips on plant selection and how to plant properly. OPEN DAILY 8 A.M. | 7 A.M. FOR MEMBERS WED. They all seem closely related varying in leaf shape and the degree of hirsuteness. Asclepiadaceae, Milkweed Family Form Sub-shrub Range Southeastern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, and northern Baja California and Sonora, Mexico Habitat Mainly desert washes, also rocky slopes and plains Living Desert Location MacDonald Butterfly Garden, Upper … You can keep it in check by plucking off all the flowers before they turn into seedpods. Use drip irrigation or turn the hose on so the water just trickles. It is hardy to at least the low 20s F. After plants are established, they can tolerate long periods of drought. Desert Botanical Garden is helping monarchs with our Great Milkweed Grow Out initiative through: On-site programming is currently on hiatus. Advance Ticket reservations are required. Place seeds into a container of moist soil, cover with a plastic bag and refrigerate for at least three weeks. It tolerates a range of soils, given that they are fast-draining. About Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa) 3 Nurseries Carry This Plant Add to My Plant List; Asclepias erosa is a species of milkweed known commonly as desert milkweed. Milkweed plants benefit from vernalization, a process of cold treatment, before sprouting. It is an invaluable addition to the butterfly garden, because it is such a crucial food source for the larval stage of the Queen and Monarch butterflies. Use a pair of pruning shears. Plant milkweeds to provide habitat for Monarch Butterflies. Growing Instructions: Start Desert Milkweed seeds outdoors in late November. Most aphid species are greenish, however, the most common species found on members of the milkweed family are bright orange-yellow. But this beautiful plant requires care in handling. - This plant is easy to take care of in Phoenix, because it is drought resistant. Excessive watering encourages succulent growth favored by aphids. Provide regular water for the milkweed plants to keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season. Desert Milkweed will thrive in a location with lots of sun and reflected heat, such as near a pool where it will make a stately accent. Milkweed Pollination . See you soon! Learn more at Southwest Monarch Study. There are 108 species of milkweed in North America. New growth often has small leaves that don’t stick around unless there is ample humidity. ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM PLANT CARE INFORMATION Desert Milkweed Asclepias erosa DESCRIPTION: Desert Milkweed is a perennial herb with erect yellow-green stems and foliage in shades of pale whitish-green to dark green with white veining. Gently tamp down the soil around the roots. This species does best on the east or north side of the house or in light shade/filtered sun. But you may be asking, “should I prune milkweed.” Milkweed pruning isn’t really necessary, but deadheading milkweed can enhance appearance and encourage further flowering. Without milkweed, monarchs will not survive. Giant milkweed (Calotropis gigantea, syn. Positive: On Jul 1, 2008, kittysue from Fairborn, OH wrote: I collected my seed while in Las Vegas. This species does better with additional water. Milkweeds in a 1-gallon pot can be planted in the ground. Native American Ethnobotany compiled and edited by Daniel E. Moerman (1998), and Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert by Wendy C. Hodgson (2001). You might us it in a courtyard or near a pool. Desert Milkweed will thrive in a location with lots of sun and reflected heat, such as near a pool where it will make a stately accent. Culture Good drainage is important for Desert Milkweed, as is full sun. Milkweed is a beautiful plant with beautiful flowers. Can you recommend a variety of milkweed that starts to germinate in early spring. When the soil dries, water the planting area again to moisten it without over-saturating it. Mother and daughter in masks at desert botanical garden. That’s why we love desert plants and feature them each month. The long, oblong leaves are light green and grow to about 8 inches long. Growing the plants will attract and feed these beautiful butterflies. Add more soil if needed to maintain the soil line. - The Desert Milkweed only has leaves after a rainfall. Plant into containers, if desired, and place under a grow light inside about six weeks before soil temperatures outside have warmed. The pod splits open when ripe to disperse a silvery fluff of seeds. This is a great article. OPEN DAILY 8 A.M.|7 A.M. FOR MEMBERS WED. & SUN. From time to time, Water – Use It Wisely features guest bloggers who write about topics related to water and water conservation. Care must be taken when incorporating milkweed into your garden. Choosing and Planting Low Water-Use Plants. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Monarch butterfly populations have declined as much as 90 percent over the last two decades. View Arizona milkweed plant information at Plants.USDA.gov. You can help by planting milkweed and nectar plants in your backyard. Description: Cluster/umbel of flowers on white wooly stems and leaves that become smooth with age. Any species in the milkweed family will do, but the easiest to grow is the common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. Take care of milkweed plants to ensure a thriving milkweed patch in your landscape. The plants are unlike any other milkweed species and small individuals are commonly confused with juvenile pine trees. Carefully remove the plant from the pot, trying not to disturb the roots too much. Water deeply every day for about 1 week so the roots can get established. Arizona has at least 29 species of milkweed native to the state, which means you can find the right milkweed for your backyard. We recorded video providing the first conclusive evidence that the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) consumes Mojave milkweed (Asclepias ny… It is native to southern California, Arizona, and northern Baja California, where it is most abundant in the desert regions. Desert Milkweed lends an authentic note to desert wash plantings, and the flowers attract butterflies. New growth often has small leaves that don’t stick around unless there is ample humidity. They get this when planted outside, but to speed up the growing process, treat the seeds through stratification. Monarch butterfly populations have declined as much as 90 percent over the last two decades. Milkweed Calotropis Seeds. You can plant milkweed starter plants purchased at specialty nurseries. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterfliesespecially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed. Growing milkweed. Landscape Use This plant’s form creates a strong vertical accent in the landscape. Desert Milkweed is a regal vase-shaped perennial with grey green stems. Please be sure to read our safety measures before you make your reservation. Medicinal use of the herb: None known Known hazards of Asclepias erosa: Although no specific reports have been seen for this species, many, if not all, members of this genus … I’m in zone 5b (southern Ontario) and grow swamp milkweed but it usually doesn’t start to come up until mid/late spring and usually isn’t a decent size until at least early summer. Plant … Dec. 28-31 | The Garden will close at 4 p.m. and reopen to Luminaria ticket holders at 5:30 p.m. I don't do anything special with them at all. Asclepias erosa is a species of milkweed known commonly as desert milkweed. “Milkweed – Beautiful and Dangerous. Requires very little supplemental water once established. Grows to be 8-10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Female monarchs search for milkweed to lay their eggs. W… HISTORY & FOLKLORE Historically, various Native Americans throughout its range have used desert milkweed as a medicinal plant. Milkweed is crucial to the life-cycle of the monarch butterfly. Makes a great screen plant once full size. It is great for hot areas with full sun. When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves of milkweed. The pod is ornamental too: horn-shaped and 3 inches long, it narrows from a ¾ inch diameter base to a point. Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit. Description. 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