Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Weed
DESCRIPTION
Butterfly WeedAsclepias tuberosa
Butterfly weed produces bright orange, flat-topped flower clusters in early June. Flowering goes on for many weeks. Green pods full of seeds with silky white hairs follow the flowers. This is an essential plant if you want to attract a variety of butterflies to your property, especially Monarchs.
BENEFITS
- Host and nectar plant for Monarch butterflies
- Great nectar source for many other butterflies
- Seedpods are often used in dried flower arrangements
- Thrives in sun in average or dry soil
- Prefers moist, rocky soils, but will grow in dry situations too
- Deer resistant
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Sandy soils and upland woods; New Hampshire to South Dakota south to Arizona, Mexico and Florida.
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
Interesting Facts
Milkweeds are the host plant for Monarch butterflies. The entire lifecycle of these butterflies, from caterpillars to adults, revolves around this plant.
GROWING TIPS
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Plants have deep taproots and are best left undisturbed once established. Like many milkweeds, plants are slow to emerge from the ground in spring.