Asclepias curassavica
Blood flower milkweed, Indian root, Swallow-wort, Batal, Bastard pecacuanha, Flor de seda
- Height × spread
- 1m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This evergreen sub shrub is usually grown as an annual in Britain and Ireland. It makes a handsome fiery plant with upright stems holding green lance shaped leaves, their surface marked by regular lines of impressed veining. The flowers come in a terminal spray of red and orange, providing intense spots of colour that delight the eye all summer through. It sometimes produces pale green ovoid fruits in autumn. The plant likes a good loam soil that is preferably acidic or neutral, fertile, well drained and sunny. It isn't frost hardy, but if it is over wintered it needs to be nearly dry at the root during the winter months. The plant stands around 1m (3ft) high with a spread of 50cm (20in).
- Flower colour
- Orange, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Water garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Water depth
- Up to 2.5cm
- Use for
- Structural, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
More Asclepias
Asclepias
Milkweed, Silkweed
Asclepias curassavica 'Red Butterfly'
Blood flower milkweed, Indian root, Swallow-wort, Batal, Bastard pecacuanha, Flor de seda
Asclepias incarnata 'Soulmate'
Swamp milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Silkweed, Common milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Butterfly weed, Pleurisy root, Chigger flower, Indian paintbrush, Tuber root