Asclepias purpurascens, or Purple Milkweed, is a perennial similar to Common Milkweed but features rich red-purple flowers, standing slightly taller and with stiffer, more compact umbels. Blooming from late spring to early summer, it attracts pollinators like Bumble Bees and Monarch Butterflies, and the flowers can re-bloom if seed isn't set. The plant grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall, with large, pointed leaves that are green with a tinted mid-vein matching the flower color. Purple Milkweed prefers well-drained sites with ample moisture, and although it can tolerate partial shade, it requires regular watering in full sun. It is less aggressive than Common Milkweed and produces smooth, slender seed pods that are valued in dried arrangements; however, it is challenging to get it to bloom and set seeds beyond its first season due to its sensitivity to environmental conditions