Butterfly Weed
Long-lasting, bright orange flowers and a low mounded profile make Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) one of the most popular milkweeds. True to its name, Butterfly Weed attracts legions of butterflies and is an important host plant …
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Height | 2' |
| Bloom Color | Orange |
| Bloom Time | June, July, Aug |
| Spacing | 1' - 18" |
| Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Root Type | Taproot |
| Benefits | Butterflies, Pollinators, Hummingbirds, Host Plant, Deer Resistant |
| Seeds per Oz | 3500 |
| Propagation Treatment | Dry Stratification |
| Direct Sowing Time | Spring, Early Summer, Fall |
Long-lasting, bright orange flowers and a low mounded profile make Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) one of the most popular milkweeds. True to its name, Butterfly Weed attracts legions of butterflies and is an important host plant for Monarch and Queen butterflies. Unusual among milkweeds, its leaves are alternate and it lacks the typical milky sap.
In an ideal location, a mature Butterflyweed can become a very showy specimen, with multiple flowering stems spreading across a two foot high plant. Mature plants have a deep tap root that extends down a foot or more. They can be transplanted if dug carefully, during dormancy. This rugged species thrives in sunny locations, in dry sandy soil or well-drained loam.
Other common names include Pleurisy Root, Butterfly Milkweed and Orange Milkweed.
