Redring Milkweed: A Hidden Gem for Your Native Garden
If you’re looking to add a touch of understated elegance to your garden while supporting local wildlife, redring milkweed (Asclepias variegata) might just be your new favorite perennial. This charming native often flies under the radar compared to its flashier cousin, common milkweed, but don’t let that fool you – it’s got plenty to offer any gardener who appreciates both beauty and ecological value.
What Makes Redring Milkweed Special?
Redring milkweed is a perennial native plant that calls much of eastern North America home. You’ll find this lovely species naturally growing from southeastern Canada all the way down to Florida, and from the Atlantic coast west to Texas and Oklahoma. It’s established itself across an impressive range of states including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and even parts of Ontario, Canada.
What sets this milkweed apart is its distinctive flowers – creamy white petals surrounding a purplish-red center that gives the plant its common name. The blooms appear in neat clusters from late spring into early summer, creating an eye-catching display that’s both sophisticated and wildly attractive to pollinators.
A Conservation Note
Before we dive into growing tips, it’s worth noting that redring milkweed has a rarity status in New Jersey, where it’s listed as S1 (critically imperiled). If you’re gardening in areas where this plant is rare, make sure to source your plants or seeds from reputable native plant nurseries rather than collecting from wild populations.
Why Grow Redring Milkweed?
There are several compelling reasons to welcome this plant into your garden:
- Monarch butterfly support: Like all milkweeds, this species serves as a crucial host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars
- Pollinator magnet: The nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects
- Wildlife value: According to research, this plant provides 5-10% of large animals’ diets and 2-5% of terrestrial birds’ diets
- Low maintenance: Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant and requires minimal care
- Unique beauty: The distinctive flower coloring adds visual interest to any native plant collection
Where Does It Fit in Your Garden?
Redring milkweed is wonderfully versatile in the landscape. It works beautifully in:
- Native plant gardens
- Pollinator gardens
- Cottage-style gardens
- Woodland edges and naturalized areas
- Mixed perennial borders
Its preference for partial shade makes it particularly valuable for gardeners dealing with less-than-perfect light conditions. While many milkweeds demand full sun, redring milkweed is happy to grow in dappled sunlight under trees or on the north side of structures.
Growing Conditions and Care
The good news is that redring milkweed isn’t particularly fussy about its growing conditions. Here’s what it prefers:
- Light: Partial shade to full sun (though it tolerates shade better than many milkweeds)
- Soil: Well-draining soil with slightly acidic to neutral pH
- Water: Moderate moisture when young, drought tolerant once established
- Hardiness: Thrives in USDA zones 3-9
- Habitat preference: As a facultative upland plant, it usually grows in non-wetland areas but can tolerate occasional wet conditions
Planting and Propagation Tips
Getting redring milkweed started in your garden is straightforward, though it does require a bit of patience:
- From seed: Seeds need cold stratification, so plant them in fall for spring germination or give them a cold treatment in your refrigerator for 30-60 days before spring planting
- From plants: Spring is the best time to plant nursery-grown specimens
- Spacing: Give plants room to spread – they’ll naturally form small colonies over time
- Maintenance: Very low maintenance once established; may self-seed if conditions are right
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
Like all plants, redring milkweed isn’t perfect for every situation:
- It can spread via underground rhizomes, which some gardeners might find invasive in small spaces
- The milky sap can be irritating to skin and toxic if ingested
- It may go dormant during hot, dry summers
- Seeds can be slow to germinate and establish
The Bottom Line
Redring milkweed deserves a spot in more gardens, especially if you’re passionate about supporting native wildlife and creating sustainable landscapes. Its unique flowers, adaptability to partial shade, and excellent wildlife value make it a standout choice for the thoughtful gardener. Just remember to source your plants responsibly, especially in areas where wild populations are rare.
Whether you’re creating a dedicated pollinator garden or simply want to add some native flair to your existing landscape, redring milkweed offers beauty, ecological value, and the satisfaction of growing a plant that truly belongs in your local ecosystem.
