• Category: Border Gems, Summer & Fall Program
• Height: 28-36 in

Umbels of scarlet red-orange with deep yellow centers on tall bronzy-green foliage.  Late summer blooming.

There has been some concern in the horticulture industry recently about tropical milkweed Asclepias currasavica blooming later than native Asclepias species and potentially causing Monarch butterflies to delay their autumnal southward migration or even produce an additional generation that is in far more danger of experiencing food shortages or running into freezing temperatures. In the far southern US, such winter breeding monarchs may feed on perennialized populations of tropical Asclepias and thus are in increased danger of exposure to parasitic Ophryocystis elektroscirrha protozoa. We try to make ethical decisions about the plants we sell based on the latest information on the complex interactions of plants and insects in our rapidly changing environment. Based on the facts detailed below, we will continue to carry Asclepias currasavica ‘Silky Red’ and ‘Silky Gold.’ Monarch migration stimuli are a complex mix of triggers including falling temperatures, shorter days and reduced availability of milkweed. Asclepias currasavica does NOT overwinter or self sow in our region.  It does NOT live long enough here to support a winter breeding population such as those found in southern California, Texas and along the Gulf Coast. We do recommend including a variety of native milkweed species in your plantings to support the Monarchs while they are here in the warm weather.