All Foliage, No Flowers

Day 262: The two readers who supplied me with seeds will undoubtedly recognize this plant from the foliage, and perhaps one of them can give me a clue as to why it comes back year after year but never blooms. It is milkweed, and until an inflorescence appears, I will be unable to confirm the exact species (presumably Asclepias syriaca). The plants appear quite healthy otherwise. The tallest is currently about 3', but of the dozen or so stalks, not a one has ever shown any inclination to flower. Nor have they ever exhibited signs of insect damage, presumably due to the absence of flowers which would attract bugs. I did not expect Monarchs, no. They are rarely found in western Washington. However, their flyway crosses eastern Washington where milkweed plants are abundant.