Plant Description
Butterfly weed, also known as milkweed, or Asclepias tuberosa, has striking, brilliant orange flowers which brighten our fields all summer. It is the favorite and required flower for monarch butterflies. Individual flower clusters may be up to 1 1/2 feet wide, and established plants may form clumps 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall. This perennial does best in full sun and a dry, well-drained location. It would make a good accent plant in a dry spot in the perennial border, natural area, or meadow. Butterfly weed flowers are excellent as fresh cut flowers. And of course, they are magnets for butterflies, monarchs especially. Butterfly weed has a long tap root and resents being moved, so plant it where you want it permanently. Also, they like to be planted into warm soil, so we prefer to ship them when things warm up.
Characteristics
Showy Berry Fruit Deer Resistant Butterfly Plant Native Plant Ease of Culture Easy to grow Plant Type Wildflower, Perennial Light Exposure Full sun, Mostly sunny
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Soil Condition Sandy, Clay, Average Moisture Tolerance Dry, Moderately moist Pot Size 3" pot Height 24 to 36in Flower Color Orange, Yellow
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Bloom Time Mid summer, Early summer, Late summer Spread 24in Hardiness Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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