Virginia ecotype
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Upright, slender, colony-forming, fine-textured
Size: Typically 1 to 2 feet tall; 0.5 to 1.5 feet wide
Flowering Time: June to September
Bloom Color: White to greenish-white
Habitat: Prairies, dry open woods, fields, roadsides, glades
Moisture: Dry to average; must be well-drained
Light: Full sun to part sun; best performance in full sun
Soils: Sandy, loamy, or rocky soils; tolerates drought and prefers poor, shallow soil
Uses: Butterfly gardens, dry meadows, prairie restorations, naturalized plantings, erosion control, difficult areas, xeric/rock gardens, well draining containers
Grower's Note: This species spreads underground by rhizomes, but not aggressively. Its spread is wider in looser, lean, sandy soils.
Asclepias verticillata (Whorled milkweed)
Asclepias verticillata, commonly known as Whorled Milkweed, is a delicate, fine-leaved native milkweed endemic to dry prairies and open woodlands. Uncommonly for a milkweed, its narrow, whorled leaves and slender form give it a soft, grass-like appearance that blends well in naturalistic plantings. In summer and early fall, it produces small clusters of fragrant white-green flowers, often attracting more pollinators than its size would suggest. It is among the latest milkweeds to bloom, extending nectar availability well into the growing season.
Ecologically, Whorled milkweed is one of the essential host plants for the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), though it is not as sought after by caterpillars as wider-leaved milkweeds. However, it is still a viable host plant and is better adapted to poor, dry sites than most other milkweeds. Whorled milkweed also supports other milkweed specialist insects such as the milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle) and large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus).
Its unique flowers are a rich source of nectar for native bees, wasps, beetles, and butterflies. It is a slow rhizomatous spreader, forming a colony over time, especially in loose, lean soils. Because of its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor areas, Whorled milkweed is well-suited to plantings in dry habitats, pollinator meadows, difficult sites, and erosion-prone areas.
Consider planting with native grasses for dry and lean-soiled sites, such as Andropogon virginiana (Broomsedge), Andropogon ternarius (Splitbeard bluestem), Chasmanthium laxum (Slender spikegrass). Perennials to consider include Eupatorium hyssoifolium (Hyssopleaf thoroughwort), Chrysopsis mariana (Maryland goldenaster), Opuntia humifusa (Eastern pricklypear cactus), and Liatris pilosa (Grass-leaf blazingstar).