Elaine, that's Giant Milkweed (
Giant Milkweed (Calotropis gigantea) and no, it doesn't look like a lot of milkweeds. I'm going native with my milkweeds this year, but I'm keeping that one until the natives get going. The butterflies don't tend to lay eggs on it much, anyway. So it makes a good back up food source.
I'm with you about liking flowers that bloom constantly. I was talking to my trainee at MOSI about the Blue Flag Irises in our water feature that are just now finishing their bloom. On the one hand, it's nice to look forward to them every year, but I want something that blooms over and over! I told her it's tough to be a flower in my yard. If it doesn't attract a butterfly to lay eggs on it or nectar on it, it's at risk. Except for a few plants my parents have sentimental attachments to and a few that we've negotiated on. Other than that, you have to earn a space in my garden!
