Family Jewels

Family Jewels Asclepia Plant

For the past several years we've planted Asclepia plants to encourage the Monarch butterflies to come to our yard.  Most of the Asclepia plants have clusters small red or orange flowers, and the butterflies seem to like them.  In fact, Asclepia leaves are the only thing Monarch caterpillars will eat.

Cindy had been hearing about a particular variety of Asclepia called Family Jewels, so she planted one this year in the butterfly garden, and it seems to be flourishing there.  This plant is much larger than the other varieties of Asclepia that we have had.

Instead of red or orange flowers, it has clusters of small white flowers that become an interesting seed pod as the flowers fade.  The seed pods swell and begin to resemble, um, "family jewels." Sort of.  

Although the plant seems to be doing very well, we still haven't seen any sign of Monarch caterpillars on the leaves of any of the Asclepia plants.  Milkweed bugs yes, but no caterpillars.  

Family Jewel Seed Pods