Asclepias Asperula

Antelope Horns for Spring Monarchs

Asclepias asperula Common Names: Antelope Horns, Antlehope-Horns, Antelopehorns, Green-flowered milkweed, Spider milkweed

Asclepias Asperula Plant Specs

• Perennial Zone: USDA hardiness zones 7a-9a (lows to -17.8 °C or 0 °F)
• Native Plants for: Southwestern United States (Az, Ca, Co, Id, Ks, Ne, NM, Nv, Ok, Tx, Ut) and northern Mexico
• Full sun to partial shade for this herbaceous perennial
• Height: 2 to 3 feet
• Spacing: 1 to 2 ft
• Flowers: white, yellowish green with purple hoods accents
• Leaves: long, thin leaves
• Stems grow more outward than upright
• Blooms: heavily in spring, less prolifically summer-fall
• commonly found in prairies, pastures, by roadsides, ditches, and fields
• often confused with Asclepias Viridis

Asclepias Asperula Pros

• Good choice to support early generations of monarch caterpillars- early riser in native regions
• Monarch butterflies and other pollinators use as an early nectar source
• drought tolerant
• Easy to start milkweed seeds inside or try water stratification
• Low growing milkweed can add variety to the butterfly garden
• Deer resistant
• Beautiful Flowers to enhance your garden

Asclepias Asperula Cons

• Seeding can be a problem unless you take actions below
• Prone to aphid pests like most milkweed
• Rabbits will sometimes mow down young plants
• Does not transplant well because of long taproot
• Can spread through underground rhizomes
• Toxic to dogs, cats in large quantities, but most won’t touch it because the poisonous milky sap is bitter to the taste

Asclepias Asperula Plant Propagation

• Sow seeds directly outside in fall- November is a good option for most regions
• Start seeds indoors 2 months before final frost or try water stratification
• Sow seeds directly after final frost
• Start from Stem Cuttings

Antelope Horn Growing Tips

• Reliable milkweed for native region, don’t rely on this as a main milkweed for northern regions
• Fence to protect plants from rabbits and to protect garden-munching pets
• Segregate from plants that could be overtaken by an underground rhizome attack. This is not invasive like common milkweed, but still something to consider when planning your garden
• Cut – If you don’t want additional seedlings next spring, simply cut off the seed pods before they pop open or bind them shut with twist ties, rubber bands, or organza bags if you want to harvest milkweed seeds

Pollinators Plus

Spider milkweed also attracts bumble bees, soldiers, queen butterflies, and other insects… (If you know of others, please comment below to help others in the community make important milkweed decisions.)

Asclepias Asperula Plants for Sale and Milkweed Seeds

Always purchase seeds and plants by botanical aka scientific name. Asclepias asperula’s common name, spider milkweed, is also used to refer to a similar milkweed species:

1. Find Asclepias Asperula Seeds and Plants at Joyful Butterfly

2. More Asclepias Asperula Here

3. Buy Asclepias Asperula on Amazon

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