- Variegated milkweed
Botanical name: asclepias variegata
Beginner friendly?: not really
Average size at maturity: up to 3 ft in height with a 2 ft spread
Bloom time: spring, summer
Hardy zone: 4 – 10
Flower color: red, orange, yellow
Foliage color: green,purple
Growth rate: grows about a foot a year
Pruning instructions: cut down to half a foot off the ground in october. Continue to cut off any new leaves until after the last frost of the season has ended
Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge
Landscape use: adds unique color to a pollinator garden
Light needs: 6 hours of sun a day
Special features: deer resistant
Watering instructions: water when the top 2 inches of soil has dried out
Fertilizing instructions : use 10-10-10 after the last frost of the season is over
Best time to plant: spring and fall
Best type of soil: clay or loam
Companion plants: butterfly bush, joe pye-weeds, firecracker plant
Toxicity level: toxic for humans and pets if ingested
Invasive species: no
