Asclepias fascicularis “Narrowleaf Milkweed”

Description

🌿 Why ‘Narrowleaf Milkweed’ Wins the Native Plant Spotlight

• Monarch lifeline — vital larval host and nectar source.
• Drought-tolerant — perfect for xeriscaping and pollinator-friendly dry gardens.
• Long bloom season — flowers from late spring through early fall.
• Wildlife magnet — attracts butterflies, bees, beetles, and hummingbirds.
• Low maintenance — thrives with minimal water and poor soil.
  

🌞 Care Guide for Garden Success

• Light: Full sun for maximum bloom.
• Soil: Well-draining sandy or loamy soils; tolerates poor fertility.
• Watering: Low to moderate; drought-hardy once established.
• Spacing: Plant 12–18 inches apart.
• Feeding: No fertilizer needed — prefers lean soil.
• Maintenance: Cut back in winter; leave some seed pods to self-sow for naturalized effect.
• Wildlife Note: Leaves contain cardiac glycosides — toxic to livestock but essential to monarch caterpillars’ survival strategy.
  

🦋 A Desert’s Delicate Promise

Planting Asclepias fascicularis is a quiet act of restoration — a way to stitch the golden fabric of the western landscape back together with the fluttering wings of monarchs and the soft hum of bees. In its lean grace and resilience, it reminds us that beauty often thrives in the most unassuming forms.