Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed An extremely hardy, long-lived perennial native to North America. The flowers produce a large quantity of nectar which attracts butterflies throughout the growing season. Blooming period: June-September Produces a very deep taproot making transplanting difficult. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a type of milkweed, and as such is automatically a potential host for the monarch's caterpillars (although the common milkweed is perhaps superior in this regard). Butterfly weed is deer-resistant. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping. Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season. We have the Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow' which produces many golden yellow, flat-topped flower clusters in early June. Butterfly weed grows best in full sun, with sandy, well draining soil. The first year we planted ONE, I only saw it bloom once because the caterpillars kept eating it. Apparently we had plenty of seeds though because I have a flowerbed full of it now.

Visit More Thursday Thirteens.