Vivid orange and orange-red flower colors
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a drought- and heat-tolerant, full-sun perennial native in many states across the country. The plant grows to about 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. Starting in summer, orange or orange-red flowers appear, which do a wonderful job of attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects such as bees, although it claims its fame by being one of the important host plants for monarch butterflies. Two to three-inch long pods form after flowering, enclosing many seeds, and when the pods crack, seeds, each equipped with a "helicopter propeller," will be visible. If "free" seedlings are not wanted, seedpods should be removed when green or before cracking.
Butterfly weeds can be planted in groups in butterfly, prairie or native gardens with other plants that have similar characteristics. It is very hard to transplant due to its deep taproot; grow from seeds or container plants. It is a very forgiving plant, and water and fertilizer will help to produce a bigger plant with more flowers. Aphids are often seen at the juiciest part of the plant, the tips, which can create an aesthetic problem. However, spraying chemicals may kill butterfly larvae too -- don't you want monarch butterflies? Hand squishing or spraying off with water may be a better alternative.
Butterfly weed attracts butterflies and bees.
Common Name: Butterfly weed
Botanical Name: Asclepias tuberosa
Color: Red, yellow, orange
Blooming Period: Summer to early fall
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Size: 3-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
Watering: Dry to moderate
Fertilize: Low to moderate
Soil: Sandy, well drained
Sun/Shade: Full sun
In Your Landscape: Mixed plantings in flowerbeds as focal points, or in the background.
(From Mississippi Gardener Volume XII Issue I. Photos courtesy of Beth Willis.)
