Laura,

I'm attempting to grow this variety of milkweed this year in mid Arkansas. We've had such a strange winter and spring, I'm not certain my limited experience is useful. I purchased plugs last summer and planted them in a garden area that will get maybe 3/4 day of sun and has good drainage. They survived our terribly cold winter but with the cold wet spring, the new growth looks weak to me so far. I'm encouraged the roots survived this past winter and hope they will take hold and turn into strong plants. Having never seen this milkweed before, I've really nothing to relate to concerning their growth pattern or needs.

Hope to see more replies to your question.

Mary

I don't know if it's at all helpful but Narrowleaf Milkweed grows wild on our property. We live in the "Banana Belt" of southern Oregon. Our summers get to 100 on some days for about three weeks. We have months of freezing days. Warm, bright days with very little water from May-October. The milkweed blooms in June-July and the plants stay alive until the dry soil kills them in about September.

I have never tried to grow them, but got several different species to try this year as seed. Cross your fingers for me, I love these flowers!

Laura, I bought one of these, too. Mine is blooming and looks great. Steve is really careful about selling plants that grow well in our area.

Sandy

I tried both direct sowing on the ground and sowing in small pots on the windowsill. No success so far with direct sowing but it was an exceptionally dry winter. My seeds had to be lightly covered with potting soil to germinate. Recommend 3 inch pots as smaller ones dried out too quick and killed the seedlings. Overwatering will kill them too, but they dry out and die quick when they are little. I started them in December and put the plants out in July. It's been a dry year in Oakland CA so I wanted the plants to develop enough roots before setting them out. Could have planted out much earlier I suppose. Watering 2 or 3 times a week until they become well established. Well draining soil in raised bed rock garden. Keep in mind with enough water this plant develops into a multi-stemmed shrub as high as 6 feet and maybe 3 feet wide.