Milkweed Seeds

Milkweed Seeds

Cold stratification required: direct sow in fall or early winter into a clean, prepared bed. Or, for spring sowing, sow in deep seed-starting pots about ¼" deep, in rich, damp soil. Cover and refrigerate for 3 weeks. Afterwards, move to a 70-degree, well-lit spot for germination, which can take up to 14 days. Transplant outdoors after frost in an area that can remain a milkweed patch for years. 

Please note: Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is native to much of the eastern and mid continental U.S.—most areas east of the Rocky Mountains. If you live outside of these areas, please do not buy or plant Asclepias syriaca. Before planting any milkweed, it's always a wise idea to reference monarchwatch.org or the Xerces Society for more information on milkweed species that are native to your specific area.

The Package
Each year, Hudson Valley Seeds commissions contemporary artists from around the United States to tell the story of a particular seed variety. That art and those seeds combine to create an Art Pack, a unique celebration of the diverse stories of seeds and their stewards. 

The Artist
Artwork by Nancy Blum. Nancy's intricately-rendered botanicals reveal layers of meaning about the power of plants. Composed of ink, gouache, and colored pencil, Nancy's ghostly monarch alludes to what we stand to lose without this habitat plant.