Native milkweed ?

[Wingdesigner]

Looking for pix and culture info on native milkweed, not the "asclepias" hybrid version, but the one with oval, waxy leaves. At least I think that's common or native milkweed.
1. Will it cross-pollinate with my asclepias hybrids?
2. Are the culture requirements the same as for asclepias?
If not, what are they?
I'd like to know before I plant the seeds someone gave me. I'd rather not be guilty of introducing an invasive into my little corner of the world.

Tanks.

[gardenlady]

are you looking for the asclepias incarnata? the tuberosa is the orange butterfly weed that is quite popular.

[Wingdesigner]

The seeds I have are supposed to be a thicker stalk, and oval, almost waxy, leaves. Not the skinny stalk, skinny lance-shaped leaves of a. tuberosa. I'm hoping this is the stuff I see growing on the sand dunes up north. The pods are pointed on the ends and quite fat in the middle.

[MrSeedy]

I note that the ones I grew from seeds , which were supposed to be hybrids of the tuberosa, were all pinks and some whites , and none of the orange ones I'd also hoped for, but I do have regular milkweed elsewhere , and haven't noticed, if that has crossed in fact, since I've not noticed any difference in the new second generation ones that have bloomed. I doubt any of those mentioned would be more invasive than the tuberosa I'd guess, but I'd add that growing conditions may affect them , since they do seem to prefer moister conditions, so if planted in drier areas, not such a problem perhaps? Excuse my thinking out loud as I tend to do lately and my posts may seem a bit funny perhaps!! Mental shorthand I guess! I must look up that "incarnata" name , since I don't recall that one?

Oops, but it seems I'd forgotten the species name for what I call our common milkweed and that is incarnata I guess! I also discovered many more species than I'd have guessed on one site. None the less , I do love them for butterflies , beauty , and of course the wonderful smell as well!

[gardenlady]

try looking up asclepia syriaca......that is the common one that grows everywhere and has really fat pointed pods.

[Wingdesigner]

Thanks, GL, I believe that is what I have. Look forward to hearing what you find out.And to you, also, Mr. S., for your info here and on the cattails.

[gardenlady]

that one is the most common one that we all think of when people mention milkweed. remember when we were kids and caught the monach caterpillers so we could watch them change to the chrysalis and then hatch to the butterfly......anyway.....it is the native one. doesn't 'mix' with others if you plant it near them and really isn't an invasive plant. should come from seed for you really well. not sure if it does better directly sown.

this one prefers the dry as to the moist areas where a. incarnata will take it wet.

hope this helps
lynette

[lighthouseseeker]

I do love them for butterflies , beauty , and of course the wonderful smell as well!

Ditto, me too! Maybe more people would let them grow (instead of pulling as a weed) if they could smell them blooming. One of my top favorite fragrances.

[Wingdesigner]

Hmm, never smelt (?) no, wait, smelled one. The ones I've seen up north grow on the sand dunes and never seem to get above shin height, nor have I seen them blooming. My garden hybrids have a faint vanilla-y smell, much like a faraway version of the J. tree lilac.

[MrSeedy]

It seems my hybrid ones really get too tall actually with them getting alomst four feet tall this summer on the oldest plants. Others in the bed are second generation and seem smaller though they're younger as well land may get as big. They got too tall in respect to the lower branches of a nearby rose of sharon, so that you couldn't see the flowers on the rose of sharon at all, but I did cut the tops back once done blooming to see more of the rose of sharon blooms! I am having to remove far to many seedlings though as they are trying to take over the entire flower bed!