This is the species that flourished with wild abandon on the farm where I grew up. Those and a few other selected species are described below. incarnata tend to be the most commonly grown in the ornamental garden. Flora of Virginia lists 15 members of the genus that are native to this state. Whether you call it Asclepias or milkweed, the genus consists of more than 100 species of evergreen or deciduous, clump-forming or spreading perennials. As for the seedpods, I haven’t quite outgrown the desire to play with them, but I’m working on it. Ambivalent no longer, I now find myself hovering anxiously over it in the spring time, waiting for it to break dormancy. Perhaps it took a few monarch butterflies to help me see the light. But, you know what? Despite my apprehension, this species has finally grown on me. Also, there’s something counterintuitive about installing an ornamental plant that is meant to be eaten. I dreaded the idea of incorporating bright orange or other “hot” colors in my garden, which consists predominately of “cool” colors. With some (OK, a lot of) reluctance, I added a couple of species to my ornamental garden a few years ago. With my new-found knowledge about milkweed, I eventually decided it was time to adjust my attitude about it.
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