This American and African genus consists of over 100 species and includes annuals, perennials, subshrubs, and shrubs among its number. The shrubs are generally upright many-branched plants with simple, narrow, elliptical to lance-shaped leaves. They produce heads of small 5-petalled flowers that are followed by inflated seed pods, sometimes oddly shaped and variable in length. Upon ripening, the seed pods open to reveal rows of tightly packed small seeds, each with a small parachute of silky down, hence the common name of silkweed. All parts of the plants exude a milky sap if cut, which may irritate the skin. This sap is the origin of the genus's other common name, milkweed.
CULTIVATION
Asclepias plants are easily grown in any light well-drained soil with full sun. They will, however, bear more luxuriant foliage and a greater profusion of flowers if well-fed and watered. The shrubby species are generally rather frost tender but grow so readily and quickly from seed that they can be treated as annuals or short-lived perennials.
Top Tip
Asclepias plants, particularly the shrubby species, can be trimmed to shape if necessary but do not cut back to bare wood as the plants can be slow to recover if pruned to excess.
CULTIVATION
Asclepias plants are easily grown in any light well-drained soil with full sun. They will, however, bear more luxuriant foliage and a greater profusion of flowers if well-fed and watered. The shrubby species are generally rather frost tender but grow so readily and quickly from seed that they can be treated as annuals or short-lived perennials.
Top Tip
Asclepias plants, particularly the shrubby species, can be trimmed to shape if necessary but do not cut back to bare wood as the plants can be slow to recover if pruned to excess.
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