Asclepias asperula

Herbaceous Perennial

An upright, clump-forming perennial to around 60cm in height, with long, thick, narrow green foliage, sometimes folded lengthways, and hairy stems. Clusters of yellow-green and white flowers with dark red star-shaped centres, form a ball on top of the stems from mid-summer through to the autumn. Great for pollinators, particularly Monarch butterflies

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Asclepias can be evergreen or deciduous perennials or subshrubs, with simple, entire leaves and umbel-like clusters of small, distinctively shaped flowers followed by paired fruits containing seeds embedded in silky fibres
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in fertile well-drained loamy soil in full sun. Attractive to bees and ideal for a border or wildflower garden

Propagation

Propagate by seed, propagate by division or root basal cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free