Description
Scientific name: Asclepias exaltata
Range: Houghton County native
Light: Partial shade, shade
Moisture: Medium
Benefits: Birds, pollinators, butterflies, host plant, deer resistant
Height: 3-5′
Blooms: June-July
Zones: 3-7
Color: white
Spacing: 1-2′
Root: Taproot
Fragrant blossoms droop down in an elegant display on poke milkweed, the sole Asclepias species found in the shade. While not listed as threatened or endangered, poke milkweed is uncommon due to habitat loss and would be a good choice for gardeners interested in helping out rare plants. As you might expect from a woodland native, it prefers rich soil high in organic matter.
