Asclepias speciosa, Showy Milkweed winter-blooming The spring foliage is green

The spring foliage is green but with the onset of colder temperatures becomes nearly black

long catkins draping the then leafless tree

Flowers emerge before the leaves and young pods are purportedly edible

Evergreen in warmer climates

and such a conversation piece

Asclepias speciosa, Showy Milkweed winter-blooming The spring foliage is greenFrosty white buds open to form a dome of fragrant, clove scented, pale pink stars in summer through fall. Its seed pods are entertaining, too 4 inch long, upright, fuzzy, pointed pods filled with cottony seeds. Remove them before they open if you don't want a lot of babies (Asclepias speciosa babies, that is). All in all, this is a surprisingly ornamental Willamette Valley native! Mature size: 3 feet tall & spreading! It can (and will) travel via