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Asclepias currasavica 'Silky Deep Red'
(Bloodflower, Butterfly Weed, Mexican Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed, Swallow-wort)
Asclepias currasavica 'Silky Deep Red'
(Bloodflower, Butterfly Weed, Mexican Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed, Swallow-wort)
Origin: Native to Mexico and South America
Family: Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed)
Light: Full sun
Height: 1.5-4'
Spacing: 1.5-2'
Blooms: Red and gold, terminal, mid-Summer
Foliage: Herbaceous
Seedpod: Papery, thin, pale brown skin, explodes and disperses seeds when ripe
Soil: Well-drained, mildly acidic, neutral, drought tolerant
Water: Low
Uses: Tropical perennial garden, hummingbird garden, butterfly garden, container, mass plant
Propagation: Seeds, cuttings, tuberous root divisions
Insects/Disease: Watch out for aphids
Caution: Milky sap may cause skin allergy
Comments: Asclepias currasivica or Blood Flower or Mexican Milkweed or Scarlet Milkweed or Swallow-wort is a tropical tender perennial with a fast growth habit. It is a native of Mexico and South America and is a member of the milkweed family. In mid-Summer, Asclepias currasivica 'Silky Deep Red' produces lovely terminal red and gold blossoms, followed later by papery seedpods with explodes when ripe. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are magnetized by the nectar-rich blossoms. The Monarch, Soldier and Queen caterpillars feeds on the foliage. Blood Flower is easily propagated from seeds. tuberous root divisions and cuttings. It thrives best in well-drained, mildly acidic to neutral soil n a sunny location. Mexican Milkweed is a low maintenance plant and tolerates drought conditions. Mass plant Scarlet Milkweed for a lovely butterfly or hummingbird garden. Swallow-wort is grown as an annual in the north. It can be container cultivated and brought indoors for the Winter.
USDA Zones: 8-11
JennysGarden.com...Plant images and gardening descriptions of Asclepias currasavica 'Silky Deep Red' (Bloodflower, Butterfly Weed, Mexican Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed, Swallow-wort)
JennysGarden.com...Plant images and gardening descriptions of Asclepias currasavica 'Silky Deep Red' (Bloodflower, Butterfly Weed, Mexican Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed, Swallow-wort)
Image of Asclepias currasavica 'Silky Deep Red' or Bloodflower or Butterfly Weed or Mexican Milkweed or Scarlet Milkweed or Swallow-wort
Image of Asclepias currasavica 'Silky Deep Red' or Bloodflower or Butterfly Weed or Mexican Milkweed or Scarlet Milkweed or Swallow-wort
Image above shows Monarch butterfly enjoying the nectar-rich Asclepias currasivica 'Silky Deep Red' flowers
