Plant Profile: Asclepias rubra

Red Milkweed is a perennial wildflower indigenous to regions such as sandhills, marshy areas, and wet pine savannas, stretching from New Jersey down to Florida and extending westward to Texas. In North Carolina, it thrives particularly well in sandy terrains. The flowers, which bloom in clusters from June to July, display shades of pink to purple and are known to attract bees and butterflies, serving as a host plant for the Monarch butterfly.

For optimal growth, this plant should be situated in full sun to partial shade, thriving in consistently moist to wet acidic soil. It is an excellent choice for bog gardens or any moist environments, such as alongside streams, ponds, or within rain gardens.