Description

Showy milkweed grows throughout much of northern California in a range of habitats. The ‘Davis’ selection was taken in Davis, CA. After winter dormancy one to several stalks appear with opposite, lance-shaped leaves. The leaves are large and silvery with fine hairs. The patch expands with time as the root system develops. In late spring the stalks are topped with an ornate umbel of small flowers displaying tones of pink, magenta and white. The flowers mature to form large seed pods. This is one of the more adaptable native milkweed species, and can even be somewhat invasive. The ‘Davis’ selection is said to be more robust than the species and more ornate in leaf and flower.