Hairy Ball & Friend...
I ordered this plant last year from Florida and found the Monarchs love it... I'm not good at growing from seeds that I collected last year, so I ordered two more plants that are planted in half barrels... I'm thrilled to see seed pods and hopefully I'll have better luck next year growing from seed...
This very unusual Milkweed goes by many common names- Hairy Balls Milkweed or Family Jewels Milkweed. This is a tropical milkweed from Africa that is hardy in zones 9-11. This plant is sometimes known as Balloon Plant or Swan Plant. Grow this milkweed as an annual in colder regions. I save seed at the end of the season for the next year. This is a host plant for Monarch butterflies. The young larvae feed on the leaves and the adults return to enjoy the nectar.
Gomphocarpus is easy to grow from seed in full sun. The plants can reach 4-5 feet tall. The flowers of this milkweed are white with maroon centers. This is where the other common name Swan Plant comes from. I use this plant as the WOW factor in mixed plantings. The seedpods are large lime green translucent balloons.The pods are also great in cut flower arrangements.
Hairy Ball & Friend...
I ordered this plant last year from Florida and found the Monarchs love it... I'm not good at growing from seeds that I collected last year, so I ordered two more plants that are planted in half barrels... I'm thrilled to see seed pods and hopefully I'll have better luck next year growing from seed...
This very unusual Milkweed goes by many common names- Hairy Balls Milkweed or Family Jewels Milkweed. This is a tropical milkweed from Africa that is hardy in zones 9-11. This plant is sometimes known as Balloon Plant or Swan Plant. Grow this milkweed as an annual in colder regions. I save seed at the end of the season for the next year. This is a host plant for Monarch butterflies. The young larvae feed on the leaves and the adults return to enjoy the nectar.
Gomphocarpus is easy to grow from seed in full sun. The plants can reach 4-5 feet tall. The flowers of this milkweed are white with maroon centers. This is where the other common name Swan Plant comes from. I use this plant as the WOW factor in mixed plantings. The seedpods are large lime green translucent balloons.The pods are also great in cut flower arrangements.