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Butterfly Garden

Where can I get Poke milkweed plants?

Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)

7 years ago

Is there a place anywhere I could get Poke milkweed plants? I am not good with seeds, especially if they need special treatment like refrigeration.

Featured Answer

Mary Leek

7 years ago

I just checked Pineridge Gardens and MaryAnn is still showing it available at her natives nursery.

Pine Ridge Gardens

scroll down about midway on the page

You might also consider 'winter sowing' as a way to germinate your milkweed seed. Mother nature will germinate the seed when the time is right. Very easy to do and you can get lots of seedlings for the price of the seed. Many of us here germinate our native milkweed seed using this method.

Mary

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Comments (7)

Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you! Maybe I will try, since this is a "native Native" here in SC.
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Poke Milkweed...
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No, the plant you are talking about is just plain pokeweed. We have lots of them around here, too. They have pretty dark purple berries in the fall and a huge taproot. They are not, however, a host plant for Monarch butterflies. Poke milkweed is a totally different plant, Asclepias exaltata. I'm not sure which milkweed species are native to your region, but Miss Sherry can probably answer that for you. Liz Here is a link that might be useful: Pokeweed
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The plants that I had I started myself in plastic cups and I'm not doing that again. I used them to feed Monarchs trying to avoid having to feed them in containers, but any way I tried seemed to involve a lot of time. The best way I've found yet is to have a huge butterfly cage and sit potted (in big pots) full size milkweed plants in there to feed the Monarchs. It takes about 100 Monarchs roughly one week to polish off 24 fully grown swamp milkweed plants. I found out that even that method doesn't feed all of the cats that I usually get here. I don't think I want to build 5 cat cages though. lol Anyway, I think I might have a few swamp milkweed seeds left here. I'll email you. Cathy
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WANTED: Poke Milkweed(Asclepias exaltata) seeds or root
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Yes,they would be native. I did have the plant but it was killed during the winter,and I gave away my last seeds past winter. So now I have to start again. I am funny with MilkweedFarm,not all the seeds I get from him sprout? Think he sells dead seeds too?
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Poke milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) is the commonest milkweed in forests of the mountains of central PA. Here (about 100 miles north of VA) it grows along paths in the woods, beside forest roads, and in clearings, often in quite a bit of shade. I sometimes see common milkweed (ascpelias syriaca) growing in similar places, but the Poke milkweed seems more tolerant of shade. In the summer it often looks a lot like Common Milkweed struggling in too much shade - sort of tall, scraggly, the leaves are thinner and fewer, and the flower heads are not as full compared to a Common Milkweed in the sun.
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Mary Leek
7 years ago
When I suggested 'winter sowing', I was referring to seeding in containers set outside during the winter, not sowing in or on the ground. Too many things to go wrong by putting seed in ground. But with containers, you can provide a safety net for seed until they can germinate in the spring. There is a forum here for 'winter sowing'. If I've misunderstood your comment, please forgive. .. Mary

Winter Sowing Forum
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you so much. I would have just put them in the ground. Better read up first.
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Mary,

thank you again, I think. Followed your link and of course found more then I was looking for....
Mary Leek
7 years ago
oops ... :-) Been there, done that, too!

In all seriousness, do try the winter sowing method for something this winter. I think, once you see the results in the spring and just how easy it is, you'll be impressed. Just use a good, well dampened potting mix (not soil) as your planting medium. My favorite containers I make from empty milk jugs and 2 liter soda bottles, which are easy to find and free! :-) I start all of my cuttings in modified 2 liter soda bottles. They are easy to cut with a cheap pair of scissors and drainage holes are easy to punch because the plastic is so thin and pliable.

Mary
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
7 years ago
I will definitely read up on it.

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