Asclepias curassavica Red Butterfly seeds - Milkweed

Asclepias 'Red Butterfly', also known as Scarlet Milkweed or Curaçao Milkweed 'Red Butterfly', is a perennial plant in warm climates, often grown as an annual elsewhere. It stands out with its upright stems adorned with scarlet red umbel flowers with yellow centres, which bloom throughout summer until the first frosts. With a bushy and slender habit, featuring narrow, elongated, bright green foliage, it thrives in full sun, in light, well-draining soil, and tolerates heat and drought well. It is charming in borders, beds, or containers, both for its brilliance and its ability to attract butterflies and other pollinators, provided it is protected from cold or replanted each year. Sow the seeds under cover from February to April.

Asclepias curassavica 'Red Butterfly' or Asclepias nivea var. curassavica 'Red Butterfly' is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family. Native to tropical regions of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, the species Asclepias curassavica has become naturalised in many tropical and subtropical zones worldwide. The 'Red Butterfly' cultivar is distinguished by its umbel inflorescences composed of scarlet red flowers with yellow centres. This plant has an upright, bushy habit, typically reaching a height of 60 to 90 cm in the ground, with a spread of 30 to 60 cm. Its growth is rapid, and it flowers in the first year of cultivation. The slender stems bear opposite, lanceolate, dark green leaves measuring up to 15 cm long. The foliage is deciduous in temperate zones but can persist in tropical climates. The flowers, lacking notable fragrance, measure about 1 to 2 cm in diameter and are grouped in terminal cymes. Pollination is mainly carried out by insects, particularly butterflies. The root system is taprooted, with a deep main root, making transplanting tricky once the plant is well established.

In a sun-drenched garden, Asclepias curassavica 'Red Butterfly' displays its red and gold umbels with an intensity reminiscent of tropical landscapes. To create a vibrant scene welcoming to pollinators, it can be paired with Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun', whose bicoloured red and yellow flowers echo the hues of the milkweed. Salvia 'Hot Lips', with its red and white flowers, adds a touch of freshness, while Verbena bonariensis, with its tall mauve inflorescences, adds height and an airy lightness to the composition. These combinations form a brilliant summer display, ideal for sunny borders or large containers on a terrace. By removing spent flowers, one can prolong the flowering period and prevent excessive spread of the milkweed.