Milkweed, Eastern Butterflyweed
Butterfly weed plants are milkweed cousins with tall, clumping perennials that reach heights of 12 to 36 inches (30-91 cm.). The blooms appear atop fuzzy, green stems, which are adorned by attractive, lance-shaped leaves. Butterfly weed plants spread by way of seeds, which are released from large pods in early autumn. Butterfly weed grows wild in a variety of environments, including open woods, prairies, dry fields, meadows, and along roadsides. In the garden, butterfly weed looks great in wildflower meadows, borders, rock gardens, or mass plantings.
Larval Host for the
Monarch Butterfly
1-2.5'
1-1.5'
SIZE
SOIL
Dry, Average, Moist, Well Draied
LIGHT
Full Sun
BENEFITS
Butterflies, Monarch Butterflies, Bees, Bumble Bees, Honey Bees
NOTES
Harvest seeds in fall to prevent spread, should that be undesirable. Aphids can also be removed by blasting the plant with a high pressure stream of water. Butterfly weed makes a delightful cut flower.
CHARACTERISTICS
Drought Tolerant, Showy, Cut Flower, Easy to Grow
May, June, July, August, September
Flower
This
flowers in
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
DETAIL VIEW
DESCRIPTION
Butterfly weed plants are milkweed cousins with tall, clumping perennials that reach heights of 12 to 36 inches (30-91 cm.). The blooms appear atop fuzzy, green stems, which are adorned by attractive, lance-shaped leaves. Butterfly weed plants spread by way of seeds, which are released from large pods in early autumn. Butterfly weed grows wild in a variety of environments, including open woods, prairies, dry fields, meadows, and along roadsides. In the garden, butterfly weed looks great in wildflower meadows, borders, rock gardens, or mass plantings.