Item Tag: MNS-BW

Milkweed SPIDER Monarch Butterfly Host Plant Light Green Flowers Tall Non-GMO 30 SeedsPRODUCT DESCRIPTION Butterfly Milkweed Seeds Plant descriptionKnown to attract flocks of butterflies, this milkweed features greenish-white flowers. It is native to the southern US, so it can take a lot of heat and is fairly drought resistant.Since it grows most commonly in Texas, this variety of milkweed provides monarch butterflies with a valuable source of nectar on their journey north from Mexico. This native wildflower produces curved green seed pods that gave it the common name of Green Antelopehorn, while the abundant white crab spiders that inhabit its blooms resulted in the name Spider Milkweed. In 1753, eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus gave this plant its Latin genus name, “Asclepias.” Asclepias, the name of the legendary Greek representation of medicine and healing, is especially appropriate since this plant formerly had various medicinal uses. In spite of its highly toxic nature, Spider Milkweed attracts flocks of butterflies; butterflies are immune to the plant’s poison, and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.Sowing: In late fall, direct sow these Spider Milkweed seeds just below the surface. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. When the seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant; seedlings usually do not survive transplanting, since they resent any disturbance of their roots. For spring planting, mix our Asclepias Viridis wildflower seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing. Growing: Young plants should be watered until they become established; mature plants can tolerate drought but grow best with occasional watering. Though not considered invasive, this plant spreads rapidly and will self seed. The flowers attract many bees and butterflies. Deer and rabbits avoid this plant.PropagationFor propagating by seed: Cold Stratify for 30 days prior to planting. Seeds need light to germinate, so just gently press them into the soil on their sides without burying them. Keep soil moist. Some seeds germinate in as little as 2 weeks after planting, but others in the same bed may continue to germinate for 1 to 2 months after that.The fruit pods are the smooth milkweed type, which split open to spill seeds along with plentiful silky hairs. They bloom from late spring to late summer.FAST FACTS Name: Butterfly Milkweed Seeds Botanical Name: Fall Planting is great. Seeds will cold stratify naturally through the winter. If planting in Spring, cold stratify your seeds in the refrigerator first. Plant seeds 1/4-1/2 inch apart, and then cover them with about 1/4 inch of additional soil. Water the area frequently after planting until plants become established. Life Cycle: Perennial Light Requirement: Full Sun Planting Season: Spring, Fall Plant Type: North American Native, Tuberous-Rooted Herbaceous Perennial, Clusters of Bright Flowers Atop Upright Hairy Stems, Lanceolate Leaf Shape Features: Heirloom, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Hummingbirds, Container Garden, Cut Flower Garden, Good for Dried Flowers, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Fragrant, Poor Soil Tolerant, Drought Tolerant Color: Light Green Blooms: Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall Days to Maturity: 90-120 Days Plant Height: 28 inches Plant Spacing: 15-18 inches Planting Depth: 1/8 inch Sowing Method: Start Indoors, Direct Sow Cold Stratification: Yes Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Ships: Year Round PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS: MILKWEED / ASCLEPIASHow to Plant AsclepiasWHEN TO PLANT ASCLEPIAS SEEDSPlant outdoors after the first frost begins in the fall in order to stratify the seed in time for Spring. To start indoors, seeds must be refrigerated 6-8 weeks before sowing in order to wake the seed from dormancy.WHERE TO PLANT ASCLEPIAS SEEDSAsclepias is a hardy plant that is native to the swamps of the U.S., and will easily grow in consistently damp or wet soils that drain well with access to full sun (6-8 hours of sun per day). Despite this, Asclepias will tolerate a wide variety of soil profiles, as long as they aren’t consistently dry or overly sandy. Plant away from areas where pets frequent, as the sap of the Asclepias is toxic when cut.HOW TO PLANT ASCLEPIAS SEEDSPlant seeds 1/4 inch deep into the soil. When grown indoors, transplant into the garden 18-24 inches apart for best results.HOW TO CARE FOR ASCLEPIASAsclepias is a low-maintenance plant that can live for several years if planted in the proper environment and will come back from a strong taproot every Spring. Asclepias will also readily spread itself via seeds in the late fall, but this can be controlled simply by removing all seed pods in the early fall before they release. Asclepias is a popular butterfly attractor, particularly of the Monarch Butterfly; as long as the plant is healthy, it will readily flower throughout the summer. Fertilization is not necessary. Putting mulch around each plant will reduce competition from weeds or other unwanted plants.COLD STRATIFYING:Everyone wants plants. Now. But there are a small group of seeds that require a special treatment before they will even germinate in a climate that has temperatures below freezing. This process is called “Cold Stratification.” There are two ways to accomplish this.Fall PlantingIf time is not a problem, you can put them in the ground in fall and let them go through a winter. They will sprout next year, but not flower. The following year, having gone through two winters, they will return and bloom as expected.If you are planting poppies direct sowing is recommended in late fall or early spring for zones 2-8Create a “False Winter”The second way to do this, if you want to save time, is to create a “false winter.” What this does is trick the seeds into thinking they have been in the ground for an entire year. All they need is to be in your refrigerator for at least 2 ½ months.About 3 months before spring, place seeds in a plastic bag with a handful of slightly dampened, clean peat, paper towel, or a mix of clean peat and sand.Seal and label the bag with seed name and date, then store in the refrigerator (not freezer) for at least 2½ mos. before planting in spring. (The cold period mimics a full winter’s cold.) Once your seed has been treated, it’s ready to plant when spring arrives.WE SHIP FAST &FREE! Your orders ship the next business date after payment via US mail. NO TRACKING. You can add TRACKING for $3.50 additional (see shipping charges). ORDER $10+ in the same day and we will ship in a Padded Envelope with a 50+ Seed Wildflower Gift Pack (500mg)ORDER $25+ in the same day and we will ship in a First Class Package with TRACKING and two 50+ Seed Wildflower Gift Packs (500mg each) CUSTOMER SERVICEWe will leave feedback for you within 48 hours of payment!Leaving Feedback for your seller. eBay guidelines: When you receive your seeds please leave a positive for us. If you have any problem at all no need to leave neutral or negative – message me and we will fix it! What should I consider before rating a seller’s performance? In general, here’s what you should be thinking about when leaving Feedback for a seller: Did you get what you were expecting, based on the item description? Was the item packaged appropriately (to prevent damage during shipping)? Did the seller ship the item within the timeframe indicated in the listing? (Remember that USPS isexperiencing delays due to Covid.) Were the shipping and handling costs reasonable? They are FREE! If you communicated with the seller, were your questions or concerns addressed? Did the seller respondwithin a reasonable amount of time? Before you consider leaving a negative give the seller a chance to fix the problem. Negative Feedback directly impacts their business. If you don’t get your item within 10 working days message me directly. You do not need todo an Ebay claim – just message. Give me 48 hours to answer please and I will refund or reship. Please read the planting instructions! Some seeds require cold stratification. Some Perennials probably will not bloom until the 2nd year. Your success and happiness is our success and happiness!30 Day Return Policy If you need to return your item, we have a 30 day return policy. Please return it in the same condition it was received.</spa