Blood flower (Asclepias curassavica)

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Blueaussi

Blueaussi

New Member
I transplanted about 75 Asclepias curassavica plugs into larger cups. I grow this mostly for the monarch butterflies, although all butterflies and hummingbirds like the flowers. We don't get monarchs on the spring migration, but we get them when they start back towards Mexico in late summer and fall. It thrills me no end to walk outside and see caterpillars munching down on the milk weed! I'll have to dig out some of my caterpillar and butterfly pictures.

Here's what the Blood flower looks like:

http://www.outsidepride.com/catalog/Bloodflower-Wildflower-Seed-p-17816.html

http://www.everwilde.com/store/Asclepias-curassavica-WildFlower-Seed.html
 
That is a truly beautiful flower.
I bet your yard is quite the show when these bloom.
 
Those are just gorgeous wildflowers Blueaussi. I'm going to look for some of the seed. I like the idea of them blooming from spring thru till fall.
 
They grow...up. As each set of flowers fade, the stem grows taller for the next set. They can be a bit spindly by fall if you don't cut them back some. I usually cut one stem at a time so I don't lose out on blooms all at once.

And remember, if you're in a monarch flyway, you'll have monarch caterpillars. They prefer the tropical Asclepias curassavica to the perennial (and native) Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and the various other milkweeds not seen in gardens as much. Not everyone is as thrilled as I am to find those fat stripey fellows munching away as I am.
 
beautiful flower, will have to see if i can find any seeds here, we get the monarch butterflies and usually collect the caterpillars for my nehoew to watch and let go once they hatch
 
PM me and I'll send you a few. I bought a large bag from Outside Pride, more than I can possibly use this season.
 
Blue,
Very cool. I just posted in the hummer thread taht I was going all red in my court yard. If you have more seeds for trade I would love some if not I will order them off the web.
Do They reseed themselves or do you have to reseed every year? How cold hardy are they? Do they like sandy soil? And will they take very hot intense sun? Sorry I just got a little excited.
 
I'll be glad to share what I have, I ordered a huge pack of seeds.

Asclepias curassavica is a tropical plant, and they do well in the heat at my house. I've heard the monarch folks talk about stands of it in south Florida that some of the monarchs are overwintering on instead of going to Mexico. Between the fact that most of the seeds blow away on the silk and the cold winter, it only reseeds lightly around here.

There is a kind and lovely lady in central Florida who runs a butterfly farm, Shady Oaks Butterfly Farm, and she grows tons of Blood Flower for her monarchs. Ah, here it is: http://www.buyabutterfly.com/ . So, yeah, it should do well in Florida.
 
Blueaussi said:
I'll be glad to share what I have, I ordered a huge pack of seeds.

Asclepias curassavica is a tropical plant, and they do well in the heat at my house. I've heard the monarch folks talk about stands of it in south Florida that some of the monarchs are overwintering on instead of going to Mexico. Between the fact that most of the seeds blow away on the silk and the cold winter, it only reseeds lightly around here.

There is a kind and lovely lady in central Florida who runs a butterfly farm, Shady Oaks Butterfly Farm, and she grows tons of Blood Flower for her monarchs. Ah, here it is: http://www.buyabutterfly.com/ . So, yeah, it should do well in Florida.
Click to expand...

I have been by that farm and always wanted to stop but never have the time. I can't wait till my Grand baby is big enough to go with me. Right now she has a bug issue. Funny but she freaks out when she sees a bug.
I have high hopes of having a stand of this as it would be perfect. Did you order yours from one of those sites? I don't think I need as much as the smallest amount on the sight. Just a couple seeds so is there anything you are looking for that we could trade.Let me know by PM and We can talk;)
 
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gorgeous flowers for your butterfly garden

:)
Blueaussi said:
I transplanted about 75 Asclepias curassavica plugs into larger cups. I grow this mostly for the monarch butterflies, although all butterflies and hummingbirds like the flowers. We don't get monarchs on the spring migration, but we get them when they start back towards Mexico in late summer and fall. It thrills me no end to walk outside and see caterpillars munching down on the milk weed! I'll have to dig out some of my caterpillar and butterfly pictures.

Here's what the Blood flower looks like:

http://www.outsidepride.com/catalog/Bloodflower-Wildflower-Seed-p-17816.html

http://www.everwilde.com/store/Asclepias-curassavica-WildFlower-Seed.html
Click to expand...

The wildflowers are so beautiful and must look incredible with the butterflies visiting your garden. Thanks for the links. :)

Rose White, author of
"Easy Gardens A to Z"
 
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