Asclepias variegata aka Redring Milkweed

Asclepias variegata is a wildflower in the Apocynaceae family. It is a perennial: it lives for more than two years. Its common names include white milkweed and redring milkweed. Its native range spans southeastern Canada. It also spans the central and eastern United States. It grows in open woods, at their edges, and in sandy clearings. It also grows on slopes, ridges, roadsides, and ravine floors.

Garden plants reach 1–3 feet [0.30–0.91 metres] tall and wide. Some stand just 0.67 feet [0.20 metres] tall. The plant grows upright and sheds its leaves. Its thin, single stems show green and purple tones. The stems release milky sap when damaged. Thick, oval leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides, on stalks. Their smooth edges have no teeth. Each leaf has a dark top with no hairs. The pale underside has hairs.

Small white flowers bear purple marks near their centers. Their corolla lobes, or petal parts, bend back. Each round, upright umbel holds about 30 flowers. The main account gives a May through July bloom season. Other entries give May–June or a longer May–September season. The blooms last well and stand out in groups. Large pods ripen in late summer. These upright pods, called follicles, turn brown to reddish brown. They have bumps that look like warts. They split and let out fluffy seeds. Wind then carries the seeds away.

Grow white milkweed in full sun or light shade. It suits dry, rocky woods and needs good drainage. The source also lists moist and sometimes dry soil. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and shallow rocky ground. Its listed hardiness range covers USDA zones 3–9. It needs little care, with peak growth in spring. The source names seed as the best way to grow new plants. Use it in woodland gardens, meadows, or areas left to grow wild. Plant in groups to make the flower heads easier to see. It resists deer damage well but has a moderate risk of burning.

Nectar draws monarchs, skippers, honey bees, native bees, and bumble bees. Yet monarch caterpillars do not rely on it for much food. The source reports no major disease problems. Aphids, milkweed beetles, and caterpillars rarely cause great harm. Large and small milkweed bugs can badly harm seed pods. The sap holds toxic cardiac glycosides, which deter mammals that graze. Eating large amounts can upset the gut and cause weakness and confusion. The sap can irritate skin and eyes. The source also flags risks to cats, dogs, and horses. Grow it for its looks, not as a food plant.