We have enjoyed having Asclepias incarnata in our butterfly garden; it's been a magnet for Monarchs and a variety of bees.

The plants however seem to be designed to grow in the midst of other tall plants/grasses. Ours are about 6 feet tall, and in the absence of any lateral support from other plants they have a tendency to fall over, either from wind or just from the weight of water from the garden sprinkler.

Next year we probably could plan ahead and set up some mechanical support with wire frames or tomato stakes, but we were wondering if these plants can be pinched back early in the spring to keep them at a more reasonable height. If we pruned them when they get to be perhaps 2' tall and before they have buds, would they later bloom at a more manageable height of 3-4' - might they even branch out before blooming?

Has anyone tried this? (If not, we'll test it on a few of the sprouts and report back next summer...)