Swan Plant

Gomphocarpus physocarpus. This South African Milkweed, which has many entertaining common names, is fascinating and funny, and a magnet for monarch butterflies, but not deer. Its straight stems of blue-green, lance-like leaves grow up to 6' tall, and its clusters of swept-back, dangling, waxy white flowers have violet accents and give way to groups of seed pods that look like hairy, lime green balloons up to 3" wide. Both the lightly-scented flowers and the seed pods are wonderful in large bouquets. All parts of this plant are mildly toxic. Tender perennial (HZ 9-11). Summer flowering. Height: 4' to 6'.

One packet of about 50 seeds.