Asclepias speciosa, Showy Milkweed winter-blooming and such a conversation piece

and such a conversation piece

Flowers emerge before the leaves and young pods are purportedly edible

Temperamental to establish but always worth a try provided it has good drainage and no summer water

The spring foliage is green but with the onset of colder temperatures becomes nearly black

long catkins draping the then leafless tree

Asclepias speciosa, Showy Milkweed winter-blooming and such a conversation pieceFrosty white buds open to form a dome of fragrant, clove scented, pale pink stars in summer through fall. Its seed pods are entertaining, too 4 inch long, upright, fuzzy, pointed pods filled with cottony seeds. Remove them before they open if you don't want a lot of babies (Asclepias speciosa babies, that is). All in all, this is a surprisingly ornamental Willamette Valley native! Mature size: 3 feet tall & spreading! It can (and will) travel via