PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Orange , Swamp, Common, and Showy Milkweed all Perennials. Orange (Asclepias tuberosa), Swamp (Asclepias incarnata), Common (Asclepias syriaca), Showy (Asclepias speciosa). 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. Detailed Instructions below. Also we recommend watching YouTube videos! Long blooming perennial pollinator attractor Heirloom variety with long lasting, white summer blooms Thrives in bright, sunny growing areas Monarch populations have been in decline for a number of years, and the loss of nectar sources and milkweeds has been indicated as a major contributor to these declines. This mixture is composed of native wildflowers, garden flowers and milkweeds which supply nectar sources for adult monarchs. Milkweeds are utilized for egg-laying and provide food to monarch caterpillars. Crisp blooms atop lush foliage are a sight to behold all on their own, but once they begin to attract bright and beautiful butterflies to your yard, we're sure that Milkweed will become an instant favorite! A long blooming perennial, it takes some time to establish Asclepias from seed, but the effort is well worth the reward FAST FACTS Name: Butterfly Milkweed Mix - Seed 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: Orange, Pink 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 GROWING Cold Stratifying MILKWEED Understanding Milkweed (Asclepias) Seed Germinating (There are many videos on YouTube teaching this) Germination: To start Milkweed seed we recommend starting inside, but before this happens Milkweed seeds need to go through a cold stratification period. Cold stratification is very important for the germination and growth of Milkweed. It helps break the seeds natural dormancy cycle. To do this, we recommend placing Milkweed seed in a damp paper towel or damp sand in a zip lock bag and place in your fridge for 3 – 6 weeks (30 days). Place in an area of the fridge, where it won’t get damaged. We taped ours to the bottom of a refrigerator shelf. Growing Indoors Planting In Spring: Once the 30 days are complete, it’s time to plant the cold stratified Milkweed (asclepias) seeds. We recommend planting in 2-4” peat pots. Fill peat pots of the way with seed starting potting soil and gently add water. Water should be able to drain through the peat pots. Once the soil is damp, place 1-2 cold stratified seeds into each pot. To finish, place 1/4 inch of soil on top of the seed. Planting In Fall: If you're planting Milkweed seed in the fall, let nature do the cold stratification for you! There is no need to place your seeds in the refrigerator before planting, you can plant seeds directly into the soil after there have been a few frosts in your area. This allows for the seeds to remain dormant for the winter and come up in the early spring. Clear away any existing growth and using your index finger to measure, create 1.5" holes for each Milkweed seed. We recommend spacing seeds about 4-6” apart. Place a seed in each hole and cover. Water thoroughly. Watering: Gently water the planted seed to give additional hydration. The best way to water is from the bottom up. Use a flat pan under the peat pots and add a half inch of water to the bottom of the tray. Don’t over water as it can cause fungus. Water every day or every other day as needed, the best way to test the soil dampness is to touch it. If the soil seems dry then add water; if it’s wet, wait for the soil to dry out to water. Light Requirements: For the next few weeks, make sure the Milkweed is either in a sunny window, in a green house or under a grow light. Milkweed needs lots of sun and warmth to grow. If you’re using a grow light, make sure to lower the bulb closer to the pots or your seedlings may become leggy, as they stretch to the light. In our experiment, this happened to us. Ideally a sturdier stem is better. Cold stratified seeds should germinate and sprout within 10-15 days once planted. In total Milkweed from the day they are cold stratified to growth can take 40 plus days, so be patient! Other planting options: Place dry seed (not stratified) in seed starting soil and plant in peat pots under a grow light or in a greenhouse to germinate seeds. The success rate for this is low and more difficult to accomplish. If you choose to use this option it can take months for the seeds to germinate. If you are planting seed outside, we suggest seeding in late fall, and let the Milkweed seed lay on the ground through winter. Milkweed seed will have a long winter of dormancy, so once the sun comes out and the ground warms in the spring, the seeds will germinate on their own. Buy Seeds Online Organic Seeds Heirloom Seeds Non-GMO Seeds Vegetable Seeds Flower Seeds Herb Seeds Fruit Seeds Garden Seeds Seed Starter Kits Rare Seeds Bulk Seeds Indoor Gardening Seeds Seed Catalog Seed Packs for Sale Sustainable Seeds Greenhouse Seeds Seed Suppliers Planting Seeds Home Garden Seeds