Flowers provide food for a variety of butterfly and moth species. Milkweeds in general are known for being larval host plants for Monarch butterflies, and this species is probably the single most important host plant for Monarch butterflies in California. Milkweed gardeners should be prepared for the plant to be eaten by Monarch caterpillars, but will be rewarded by the presence of beautiful Monarch Butterflies. The plant is deciduous in winter and will sometimes die back to the ground before reviving in the spring, and is often covered with the orange oleander aphids, so best to plant in less prominent spots in a garden.
Growth Form: H ~2.5’ W~ 1’ a flowering perennial sending up many thin, erect stems and bearing distinctive long pointed leaves which are very narrow and often whorled about the stem. White or cream colored inflorescent flowers.
Light: ~ 5 Hrs + Full Sun
Water: Drought tolerant Once Established
Soil: Tolerates a Wide Variety of Soil including Clay and Saline. pH 6-8
Hardiness: Sunset Zones 3-24, USDA Zones 6-10
Type: Perennial, Winter Deciduous.
Deer Resistant , Fall pruning and feeding recommended for best appearence.