Asclepias exaltata Poke Milkweed

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Asclepias exaltata visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Asclepias exaltata - Poke Milkweed a native Ohio milkweed, not to be confused with American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana LI)
Blooms of Poke Milkweed form a flower like carousal


Cultivation Information Asclepias exaltata

Soil - Medium to dryHeight - 2 to 5 ftFlower Color - WhiteBlooms - June - JulySun - Part sun to shade Hardy Zone -3 to 8 Family - Ascelepidacae Over the Years - Poke milkweed thrives in a shady location, plenty of leaf humus. Keeping it moist in the heat of summer seems to be one of the keys to producing seed.
Propagation Notes Poke Milkweed
Stratifying Seeds
Seeds placed in Cold Moist Storage Supplies Needed For Seed Stratification - 1. Zip lock plastic bag2. Few table spoons of Vermiculite3. Dampened vermiculite - not soggy4. Store in refrigerator for 30 days before sowing
Early in the season Asclepias exaltata flowers are starting to form.
Wildlife Significance Poke Milkweed
Nectar Sources - For long-tongued bees, skippers, butterflies: Spicebush Swallowtail, Eastern Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallow, Clouded Sulphur, Spring, Azure, Great Spangled Frittary, Eastern Tailed Blue, Silver Spotted Skipper and moths
Several Milkweed Species - By adding milkweed species to your garden that bloom at various times you provide a potential food source for butterflies June - September. In turn you are helping build butterfly populations including the Monarch.
Host Plant - caterpillars of Monarch butterflies, Milkweed tussock moth. Milkweed Tiger Moth, Queen Butterfly. Deer - Not Fond of Milkweed plants For more details on this plant visit the Illinois Wildflower website
Understanding Milkweed Plants

A Guide to the Milkweeds of Ohio - Natural Treasures Ohio
Seed Provenance Asclepias exaltata
Everwild Farms- New Auburn WI - 2011 - Nodding Onion Gardens - 2012 - present