Showy Milkweed

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is a must-have for any wildlife or pollinator-focused garden. With its lush gray-green foliage and spectacular globe-like clusters of pink starry flowers, this western native brings both beauty and ecological benefit. Monarch butterflies rely on it as a host plant for their caterpillars, and bees and other beneficial insects are drawn to its rich nectar source throughout the summer.

Although it looks lush, Showy Milkweed is surprisingly drought-tolerant and well-suited to the arid West. It thrives in full sun and lean soils and naturalizes gracefully—often spreading via underground rhizomes. It's not the best fit for small formal gardens but excels in prairie-style plantings, roadside restorations, or wildflower meadows where its bold texture and critical role in pollinator health can really shine.