Showy Milkweed

This lovely milkweed is native to the western states of North America. It is a very hardy plant reaching between 2 and 4 feet depending on the site with an exquisite bloom which attracts many pollinators and beneficial insects, especially the monarch butterfly. Native people have relied on milkweed as food and medicine for generations. The flower buds and green shoots were often eaten boiled. The mature flowers were boiled into a sweet syrup and the latex in the stems was used like a chewing gum and as a cure for warts and other skin ailments. The roots were sometimes used internally as well as for respiratory issues and stomach aches, although it may have some toxicity in high doses. A decoction of the leaves was used for snow blindness while poultices of the root can help with inflamed joints. This beautiful native plant is a wonderful addition to any garden, big or small. They can live in larger containers and will multiply over time. Does best is drier gravelly sites. Full to partial sun. Hardy perennial. Zones 4-9.