Asclepias tuberosa 'Butterfly Weed'

Now is your chance to take home the 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year! Big orange blooms of the Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) welcome droves of midsummer butterflies, especially Monarchs, with glowing color. This lovely perennial is both a nectar source and a host plant where butterflies lay eggs. With lovely foliage, the Asclepias tuberosa dazzles long after it blooms. It needs only plenty of sunshine, tolerates heat and drought easily, survives winters unharmed, and returns dependably year after year. Asclepias tuberosa reaches about two feet in height, three feet in width, in Zones 3-9. Set plants 12 to 15 inches apart in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Plant the crown two to four inches deep. Asclepias tuberosa is late to break dormancy in the spring and should not be removed during cultivation. Established plants have extensive taproots that should not be disturbed. New plants may benefit from a winter mulch but need no other special care.