Asclepias may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost, or sown directly in the garden after frost. It is important to keep in mind that there are probably no plants that are 100% deerproof. Asclepias gay butterflies mixture white flower farm. Large clusters of bright orange to yelloworange flowers top clumps of erect, hairy 12 tall stems with lanceshaped leaves. Sow seeds indoors 68 weeks before last spring frost date using a seed. Its seed pods are valued in dried floral arrangements. This list does not contain all varieties of milkweed, just the best kinds of milkweed to support monarchs in your region. Butterfly weed is a perennial wildflower native to north america. Much discussion has centered around the pros and cons of planting tropical milkweed. Contrary to the plant s name, it is not considered a noxious weed, but is valued for the deep orange, red and yellow flowers which attract monarch butterflies. Impossibly attractive to pollinators, it almost doesnt matter that carmine butterfly milkweed offers lovely purplepink blooms from summer through early fall. Cinderella butterfly plant, asclepias incarnata cinderella, is a virtually hasslefree perennial, offering three months of vanillascented, rosepink flowers in large, compact clusters from midsummer to early fall deadheading the flowers will stimulate another bloom cycle about a month after the first one. Purchase of one unit will include one type of plant.
It typically grows in a clump to tall and features clusters umbels of bright orange to yelloworange flowers atop upright to. Butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa american meadows. As a general rule, the best butterfly attracting flowers produce clusters of colorful, tubular flowers. Feb 07, 2020 dig a hole using the spade approximately. As the main food source for the beloved monarch butterfly caterpillar, milkweed has seen a huge resurgence in popularity as of late. Attracts many varieties of butterflies and is especially attractive to monarchs. Its popularly used in gardens to attract butterflies. Common milkweed asclepias syriaca swamp milkweed a. Asclepias tuberosa is native to eastern north america and is commonly referred to as butterfly weed. Planting milkweed asclepias is essential to creating a habitat for the beloved monarch butterfly s survival, as they are the only plants on which monarch caterpillars will feed. Its flowers are a nectar source for many butterfliesand monarchs love the leaves. It is also the larval food plant of the queen and monarch butterflies, as well as the dogbane tiger moth, milkweed tussock moth, and the. But regardless of the moniker, this beautiful native is cherished by serious wild gardeners.
Butterfly weed is appropriately named, as the nectar and pollenrich flowers attract hummingbirds and hordes of butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects throughout the blooming season. It typically grows in a clump to tall and features clusters umbels of bright orange to yelloworange flowers atop upright to reclining. It is commonly known as butterfly weed because of the butterflies that are attracted to the plant by its color and its copious production of nectar. Nov 11, 2019 the butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa is a member of the milkweed family. Lady bird johnson wildflower center the university of texas. Asclepias may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost, or sown directly in the garden in summer, or grown from potted plants. Butterfly weed, butterfly milkweed, orange milkweed, pleurisy root, chigger flower asclepiadaceous milkweed family butterfly milkweed seed. Jan 01, 2012 butterfly weeds the story of a butterfly weed waiting for its butterfly to come back to it. Buddleia 3in1 flowering shrub with red, white and purple flowers. Keep butterfly weed wellwatered through its first season.
Longlasting clusters of small, flattopped flowers are crowned with a yellow, sunkissed corona and bloom from june through august. Companies selling asclepias species, butterfly milkweed. The butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa is a member of the milkweed family. Butterfly weed plants mix beautifully with other natives like yarrow, rudbeckia and sage. The spiky leafed stem carries large bracts of dozens of red buds which turn orange as they open. Deerresistant butterfly plants this list of butterfly nectar and host plants, currently fairly general, has been gathered from several sources. Seeds benefit from being chilled for 4 weeks in the refrigerator before being planted. Butterfly weed is one of those plants that is an absolute must if you are trying to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects to your garden. This rugged plant thrives in dry soil to welldrained loam. Butterfly bushes 3 reasons to never plant a butterfly bush. Plant a few butterfly weed plants asclepias tuberosa around your garden and see what we mean. A lot of people up here were surprised theyd done so well. The species name tuberose refers to the tuberous knobby and with swellings roots. Sep 21, 2017 butterfly weed is a perennial wildflower native to north america.
This species can be identified by its alternate leaves. Milkweed and butterfly weed plants, both members of the asclepias family, are the sole food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Neither droughtplagued summers nor bitter winters can dim the glow of asclepias tuberosa. Department of agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10. Besides their beauty, you can also enjoy the knowledge that you are keeping a native species thriving. Wait for the butterfly weed to start growing in the springtime. I dug it up from a ditch a few years ago and transplanted it to the wild area of my yard. Apr 05, 2015 butterfly weed has a long taproot, so it doesnt like to be moved. A vigorous, hardy, and rugged grower, plants are about two feet tall and can become invasive.
Milkweed plant varieties growing different milkweed plants. It provides food and shelter for many species of butterflies, including the beloved monarch. Butterfly attracting plants, butterfly garden flowers. Here are a couple of sites that describe how to raise monarchs. Botanically known as asclepias tuberosa, it has a few common names. It grows in sandy or loamy soil in prairies, roadsides, and open woodlands. Their flowers are excellent nectar sources, and the plants are important hosts for the larval stage of the monarch butterfly. I want to tell you all about this plant seeds, ive ordered from white flower farm for years, ive had a lot of items not come up but they always replaced them for me, this is a great company to deal with and id wish youd all give them another chance, this plant is picky, number one, it comes up late, you should mark it, i do. In fact it is a very well behaved plant in the butterfly garden. Butterfly weed is a musthave plant for butterfly lovers. Plants will vary by location based on best of season, size and readiness. It is an important larval food source for the monarch butterfly. Butterfly weed plants asclepias tuberosa are troublefree north american natives that produce umbels of bright orange, yellow or red blooms all summer long.
Butterfly weed is a colorful, longlived, drought tolerant perennial. Often known in oldfashioned circles as butterfly weed, it is also sometimes referred to by the more marketingsavvy as butterfly flower. Use asclepias in pollinator gardens, sunny borders, and meadows. Asclepias tuberosa butterflies are very attracted to asclepias, hence the common name.
This genus, commonly known as milkweed, consists of many north american native species, and is most notable for attracting butterflies. The oleander aphid see photo from tamu likes swamp milkweed and butterfly weed. Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly weed burpee seeds and plants. Lady bird johnson wildflower center focused on protecting and preserving north americas native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection millennium seed bank msb project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife. Honestly, the eyecatching bright orange flowers are reason enough to love this plant, but the fact that they attract a myriad of butterflies, including the beloved. One of our showiest native wildflowers, butterfly weed is also a favorite of gardeners. Butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa description butterfly weeds are mediumsized plants that get bushier as they grow older. Butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa makes my list of best native plants because its flowers are crazy beautiful, and it might just be one of the most important plants of the day. Learn more about monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance. Butterfly weed really doesnt have many pests or disease issues. A topdressing of compost or composted manure once per year around the plant is sufficient. How to plant butterfly weed seeds home guides sf gate. And the attractiveness of this flower is rivaled only by its resistance to extreme temperatures.
Milkweed, butterfly weed, asclepias plants american meadows. Asclepias tuberosa butterfly weed for monarch butterflies. Companies selling asclepias species, butterfly milkweed, butterfly weed, pleurisy root asclepias tuberosa asclepias species, butterfly milkweed, butterfly weed, pleurisy root asclepias tuberosa this item is available from the following companies. Use it in butterfly gardens, as well as the middle or back of the border. A widely distributed north american native plant, butterfly weed is one of the brightest meadow wildflowers. Butterfly weed is doubly valuable to pollinators because it serves as a host plant where monarchs, among others, lay their eggs. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting. The plant, suitable for growing in usda plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, thrives in bright sunlight and poor, dry, sandy or gravelly soil with a slightly acidic or neutral ph. Milkweed plants for sale asclepias butterfly weed high. In addition, some flowering plants attract brightly colored wildlife to the garden whose kinetic energy and flashing colors greatly add to the visual appeal of the garden. Plant it to support monarch butterfly caterpillars in u. So much so that it was voted the 2017 perennial plant of the year by the perennial plant association.
We planted three orangeflower butterfly weed plants in central vermont zone 4 last summer, in full sun, and they grew pretty large and flowered twice over. Planting milkweed asclepias is essential to creating a habitat for the beloved monarch butterflys survival, as they are the only plants on which monarch caterpillars will feed. Below is a list of different types of milkweed and their native regions. Butterfly weed root is spindleshaped, large, branching, white, and fleshy with a knotted crown, it sends up several erect, stout, round and hairy stems, growing from 1 to 3 feet high. Many people love to garden because they enjoy nature and the beauty of plants. Butterfly milkweed seeds butterfly weed seedbutterfly milkweed just so happens to be a beautiful flower that has long suffered from an unfortunate name. Butterfly weed is the iconic, bright orange beauty thats a staple in every butterfly garden. Grow butterfly weed seeds plant swamp milkweed carminenamed butterfly weed for a reason, this attractive and fragrant perennial will draw butterflies and bees, and birds. This common urban plant grows to a height of 1 12 to 2.
Occurs in dry fields and roadsides in most of the us. Asclepias tuberosa is a native of midwest prairies and a favorite garden plant for its ability to attract butterflies with profusion of bright orange flowers. Strong color, blooms ornamental, showy, longliving, perennial garden. Now, youve come back home tell me youve carried me with you, that youve held me close. Monarch butterfly garden kit 28 species of perennial milkweed and wildflower seeds if you grow it monarchs will come kids stem project create a beautiful garden full of butterflies 3. Asclepias tuberosa butterfly milkweed, butterfly weed from. The seed pods, with their long silky hairs, can be used in dried flower arrangements.
Wait for the butterfly weed to start growing in the. More information about butterfly attracting plants about butterfly garden plants. Stems are branched near the top and have corymbs or umbels of many deep yellow to dark orange, or almost red, flowers. It blooms in june and july and makes a fine addition to a hotcolored border. Asclepias tuberosa, the butterfly weed, is a species of milkweed native to eastern north america. Niering fresh root chewed for bronchitis and other respiratory. Dont be surprised if your plants look a little ratty at first. Butterfly weed plants are easy to grow by seed, but may not produce blooms for two or three years. Showy native perennial features clusters of flowers in orangeyellow shades. This tough perennial helps out monarchs, and the flowers are a great nectar source for many other pollinators. It is also the larval food plant of the queen and monarch butterflies, as well as the dogbane tiger. Tell me youve missed me or that im not crazy for waiting cause of all the butterflies that chose to stay, im in love with the one. Butterfly weed also known as butterfly milkweed is a native flower that is common in the wild over most of america and half of canada.
Lady bird johnson wildflower center the university of. The genus asclepias, commonly known as milkweed, comprises more than 100 species, the best known of which are north american wildflowers. Asclepias tuberosa, commonly called butterfly weed, is a tuberous rooted, missouri native perennial which occurs in dryrocky open woods, glades, prairies, fields and roadsides throughout the state steyermark. Also, consider planting several seedlings together, so the caterpillars have plenty to eat. Make sure the plants are well watered, but not overwatered. Take care not to plant butterflyweed plants near other plants that you use pesticides on. Planting a block of milkweed is the easiest way to help rebound the plummeting population of this beloved butterfly, but you might choose to plant it based on looks alone. This species originally from asia readily takes over space. Its tough root was chewed by first nations people as a cure for pleurisy and other pulmonary ailments explaining its other common name, pleurisy root. Nov 29, 2011 here is my asclepias tuberosa, aka butterfly weed. Butterfly weed tends to be orange in color, but ranges from bright yellow to deep orange.
Butterfly weed plants can grow up to 3 feet in height and produce their famous flowers. Cinderella butterfly weed plant buy online at nature. Sow indoors 8 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit. Super hardy and astonishingly colorful, you cant go wrong with these in your garden. Butterfly weeds the story of a butterfly weed waiting for its butterfly to come back to it. Butterfly weed asclepias tuberosa, swamp milkweed asclepias incarnata are considered the best varieties for an ornamental garden. They form clumps of upright stalks with narrow pointed leaves topped by 2 4 inchdiameter clusters of orange or yellow flowers. Each butterfly species has a small set of plants they prefer, so good butterfly gardens will contain a wide variety of butterfly attracting flowers to bring in the most diverse mix of lepidopterons. Butterfly weed, pleurisy root, asclepias tuberosa herb use. Order your butterfly weed plant from nature hills today. In late septoctober, however, they were seriously attacked by orange aphids, which i tried to hose off as best i could. The genus name asclepias is named after the greek god of medicine asklepios. A tough, droughttolerant native with intense orange flowers in mid to late summer. Milkweed is the host plant for monarch butterflies it is the only food source for monarch caterpillars, and the butterflies will breed.
This showy native wildflower is easy to grow, cold hardy, and does well in poor, dry soils. The flowers are usually orange, rarely yellow or red. Asclepias tuberosa butterfly milkweed, butterfly weed. Companies selling asclepias species, butterfly milkweed, butterfly weed, pleurisy root asclepias tuberosa asclepias species, butterfly milkweed, butterfly weed, pleurisy root asclepias tuberosathis item is available from the following companies. What is a butterfly weed how to grow butterfly weed in. Butterfly weed is a member of the milkweed family asclepiadaceae. Native host plant for monarch butterflies that will regrow each spring after sowing from seed. Plant butterfly weed in a sunny spot, stand back, and watch the butterflies flock to your yard. Some of my milkweed otherwise known as butterfly weed is growing under a sun shade that is 7030 but the sun shade is in full sun. Butterfly bush is an invasive plant, meaning it crowds out beneficial plants that have naturally grown in your community for centuries.
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