Hairy Balls

Plants grow tall and willowy, quickly reaching about 4-6 ft. tall and 3-4 ft. wide. Many loose, downward-facing flower clusters have 3-10 cream-colored, waxy star-shaped blooms, which begin to open in midsummer. They are followed by showy round balloon-like seed pods, covered in soft bristles. Once the seeds have ripened, the light green pods change to a tan color and break open, allowing the seeds to disperse in the wind, using the attached silky white tufts as tiny parachutes.

Closely related to milkweeds and butterfly weeds (Asclepias spp.), Hairy Balls is a much-favored larval host for Monarch butterflies, who lay their eggs on the undersides of the medium green foliage. The emerging larvae (caterpillars) eat the narrow leaves and tender stems, often leaving the remaining plant with little or no foliage before starting their metamorphosis into adult butterflies.

To best ensure plentiful food for caterpillars while still having some plants to left to bloom and develop seed pods, grow multiple plants in your garden, at least 4 or more. Hairy Balls milkweed is a tender perennial, winter hardy to zone 8, that blooms the first year.  It may be grown as an annual in any zone.