Known as tropical milkweed or blood flower, Asclepias curassavica is an evergreen subshrub with mid-green leaves, bearing pretty red and yellow umbel-like flowers from summer to autumn. The blooms are often followed by fruit.
Native to the American tropics, it's typically grown in Britain as an annual, suitable for bedding and container displays.
Grow Asclepias curassavica in well-drained soil in full sun. Move containers indoors in autumn to keep them over winter.
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Asclepias and wildlife
Asclepias has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
