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California Narrow Leaf Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis

$6.29
$6.29 $8.99
per Plant - 2.5" Pot
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ZONES  6-10 | Good to grow! Zone
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Amount: Plant - 2.5" Pot
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Asclepias fascicularis (California Narrow Leaf Milkweed) is a western native species of Asclepias grown for its large white flowers and long, showy narrow leaves. Easy to grow in a wide range of soils, this variety is recommended for use in the West.
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Description

Asclepias fascicularis (California Narrow Leaf Milkweed) is a western native species that enhances the landscape with its huge white flower clusters and big, narrow leaves. A host plant for Monarch populations on the West Coast and Great Basin, this ornamental species is easy to grow and thrives in a wide range of growing conditions. Companion plants include other butterfly-attracting native perennials like Achillea, Eriogonum (Sulfur Buckwheat) and Appleblossom Grass (Gaura).

Planting & Care

Asclepias (Milkweed) are sun loving plants that are essential perennials for monarch butterflies providing food for caterpillars and nectar for adult butterflies. They bloom from mid-summer into early fall and, with their milky sap, are resistant to rabbits and deer.

Asclepias can be divided into two groups for plant care; Asclepias tuberosa with orange (sometimes yellow) flowers and all the other species with pink (sometimes white) flowers.

  • Asclepias tuberosa (Orange Butterfly Weed) - this perennial stays dormant until later in the spring than many other plants, especially when grown in pots. It's fine to plant dormant plants; don't up-pot them for planting later in the growing season.
  1. Need sandy or gravelly soils (except the Clay form which does well in heavier soils including dry clay.)
  2. Does best with gravel mulches.
  3. After their second growing season, only requires deep but infrequent watering. Plant in full hot sun.
  4. Just a few handfuls of compost and Yum Yum Mix added to the planting hole is enough. Don't plant into a rich, highly-amended soil.

Special comments:

  • When planting dormant plants, water thoroughly after planting and wait to water again until the plant comes into active growth, at which time a deep watering every week or so is adequate. Take care not to overwater young transplants.
  • Asclepias has a long, carrot-like tap root that should remain undisturbed after planting and should NOT ever be divided.

Most Asclepias species are late to wake up in the spring, and will often be shipped as dormant plants. Don't despair if your milkweed is asleep. The white roots and woody crown are alive just waiting for consistently warm weather to wake up and begin to grow.these perennial species stay dormant later in the spring than many other plants, especially when they are grown in pots. It's fine to plant dormant plants; don't up-pot them for planting later in the growing season.

Preferred growing conditions:

  1. These species grow in a wide range of soil types, including clay.
  2. They don't need mulching (except in very hot climates).
  3. These are moisture-loving perennials and do well in wet to moderately moist soil conditions.
  4. Plant in full to part sun areas.
  5. They like compost enriched soils at planting time.

Special comments:

  • Asclepias syriaca and A. speciosa will spread to make big patches of plants and are best planted in parts of the landscape where they won't crowd out less vigorous plants. Not recommended for the prime spots in your perennial beds.
  • Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) is a more refined grower and is fine to include in perennial beds.

Oftentimes, Milkweeds won't grow much their first season in the ground, so be patient. They are establishing their root system and crown. By the second growing season, the plants will begin to get bigger and look more robust. Asclepias species are an odd bunch and don't behave like many other more familiar perennials. So be patient and accept their quirky nature.

Garden care:

  1. Fertilize Asclepias just once in fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II. - Naturalized plantings don't need additional fertilization.
  2. To encourage re-seeding and provide winter interest with their ornamental seed pods, leave the stems intact over the winter. In mid-spring, remove old stems just above ground level.
  3. All species of Asclepias are late to emerge in the spring, so don't be concerned if other perennials come up first and they remain dormant.

Shipping

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Early to mid summer

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Birds
  • Native
  • Naturalizes
  • Low Maintenance
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

24-36" tall

Mature Spread

24-36" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Clay Soil
  • Sandy Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Average

Planting Time

  • Spring / Summer

Native To

North America

Growing Zones

  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes

Ships As

Potted Plant

Can Send To PO Box

No
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Overall rating: 4.6842103 / 5 from 19 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["packaging","buy","plant","growing","seeds","conditions"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Great purchase

"I got the bundle. Came well packaged and most already had some growth. All had great roots! Since planting them about two weeks ago they are all taking off. Can’t wait for them to mature more and attract butterflies"

— Tash (5/5)

Its worth it

"I bought two of these and already they've grown in the 4 days they been planted. Came in very green, good boxing, love it very happy with it."

— Krystal m. (5/5)

It’s beautiful. Very healthy. Hope

"It’s beautiful. Very healthy. Hope it attracts lots of butterflies…"

— Judy K. (5/5)

Plants arrived just as they

"Plants arrived just as they were breaking dormancy and even though I was not able to plant them out for a week they are doing great. Right after I planted them we had an unfortunate heat wave with temps in the 90's but they are thriving."

— David C. (5/5)

Arrived in excellent shape due

"Arrived in excellent shape due to careful packaging. Plants were healthy and have grown vigorously since planting. Very satisfied with this shipment."

— Sheri H. (4/5)

"The plants arrived perfectly healthy and in great condition."

— Jean (5/5)

My dormant plants arrived well

"My dormant plants arrived well packaged and with a healthy root system. They have been in the ground for two weeks and showing strong growth."

— Christine S. (5/5)

CA Narrow Leaf Milkweed

"The plants were packed brilliantly and arrived in good shape. All have been planted and are producing shoots."

— John S. (5/5)

Plant arrived in good condition

"Plant arrived in good condition and is thriving"

— Susan B. (5/5)

Hardier than advertised

"I bought two of these butterfly weeds 3 years ago, and they are really coming into their own now. I'm in zone 4 northern Colorado, and these are growing in rocky, very dry, very tough conditions. The blooms aren't necessarily super showy, but the bees and butterflies are often covering the flower clusters on warm days. Individual flowers are small, but the clusters range from 2-4"" across. Plants are quite tall (3'+ so I'm glad I put them toward the back of the bed. Catalog says hardy to zone 6, but they seem to be tougher than that in my experience."

— RitaHayworth (5/5)

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