Asclepias tuberosa.
Butterfly Weed is a perennial milkweed variety native to most regions of the United States.
Plant grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet and produces clusters of bright orange to yellow blooms that are rich with nectar and pollen.
Attracts numerous butterflies and other pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies whose larvae feed exclusively on milkweed.
Unlike other milkweed varieties, Butterfly Weed does not have caustic milky sap is considered only mildly toxic to humans and animals. This makes it a safer plant to have in or around homes with children and pets!
Slow to mature, Butterfly Weed may not flower until its third year.
Butterfly Weed
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 11 Light Requirement: Full to partial sun Soil Type: Sandy, loamy Sow Depth: 1/8 inch Plant Spacing: 12 to 36 inches Germination Note: Cold stratification required Stratification Time: 30 days Bloom Time: June through August Growing Tips
Direct sow just beneath the soil's surface in late fall. Germination will occur after the last spring frost. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days (cold stratification) before direct sowing.
A Note on Cold Stratification
These seeds require cold, moist stratification. To naturally stratify the seeds, plant outdoors late fall on a weed-free site and allow seeds to overwinter.
To artificially stratify the seeds, place the seeds and a moist medium (such as a damp paper towel, coffee filter, sand, or vermiculite) in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator (33-40°F) for the amount of time noted on the growth chart before sowing.