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Asclepias Butterfly Weed

Asclepias Butterfly Weed

Regular price $16.95
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  • Icon of a Map Point in a grey circle

    Zone

    3 - 9

  • Icon of a horizontal ruler in a grey circle

    Mature Height

    24 in

  • Icon of a vertical ruler in a grey circle

    Mature Width

    36 in

  • Icon of a sun in a grey circle

    Light

    Full Sun
  • Icon of a water drop in a grey circle

    Water

    Dry, Moist, well-drained
  • Icon of a seedling in dirt in a grey circle

    Soil

    Clay, Normal, loamy, Poor, Sandy
  • Description / Asclepias Butterfly Weed

    Asclepias Butterfly Weed, honored as the Perennial Plant of the Year 2017, offers a spectacular addition to any garden. This exceptional herbaceous perennial captivates with big, vivid orange flowerheads that become a hub of activity for monarch butterflies and other pollinators in midsummer. The plant not only enchants with its blooms but also serves a dual purpose in the garden as both a nectar source for adult butterflies and a host plant for their eggs, fostering a new generation of these majestic creatures.

    With its striking foliage, the Asclepias Butterfly Weed continues to dazzle even after its blooming period, bringing lasting beauty to any outdoor space. This resilient plant thrives under full sun, demonstrating remarkable tolerance to heat and drought conditions, ensuring its survival and dependable return each year. It achieves a mature height of about two feet and spreads up to three feet, perfect for planting 12 to 15 inches apart in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Gardeners are advised to plant its crown two to four inches deep, ensuring its flourishing growth.

    A member of the dogbane family, Asclepias is known for its unique seed pods, tuberous roots, and distinctive milky sap that courses through its veins, historically known as pleurisy root due to its medicinal properties. This plant's resilience is further highlighted by its late emergence from dormancy in spring, a characteristic that demands patience but rewards with beauty and vitality. Established plants feature extensive taproots, emphasizing the importance of minimal disturbance for thriving growth.

    Caring for the Butterfly Weed Asclepias is straightforward, with a preference for dry soil and minimal maintenance requirements. While new plants may benefit from a protective winter mulch, they generally require no special attention, allowing gardeners to enjoy the dynamic spectacle of monarch butterflies amid the plant's orange blossoms throughout the season.

    Sap may cause skin irritation.

  • Product Details

    SKU: 27172
    Genus: Asclepias
    Species: tuberosa
    Item Form: Bareroot
    Bloom Color: Orange
    Foliage Color: Medium Green
    Habit: Upright
    Light Requirements: Full Sun
    Moisture Requirements:
    • Dry
    • Moist, well-drained
    Bloom Start: Mid Summer
    Bloom End: Late Summer
    Uses:
    • Border
    • Cut Flowers
    • Everlastings
    • Outdoor
    Special Features:
    • Bird Lovers
    • Bloom First Year
    • Butterfly Lovers
    • Easy Care Plants
    • Flower
    • Free Bloomer
    • Hummingbird Lovers
    • Long Bloomers
    • Repeat Bloomer
    Hardiness Zones: 3 - 9
    State Shipping Restrictions: GU, PR, VI

    *Does Not Qualify for Additional Discounts