Butterfly Weed
Asclepias spp.
Butterfly Weed Plant Features
An amazing native plant, butterfly weed (also called milkweed), develops showy flower heads of orange or yellow flowers. This rugged
Butterfly weed has been named Perennial Plant of the Year for 2017 by the Perennial Plant Association, a group of growers, breeders, writers, and other experts in the perennial field.
Butterfly Weed Questions?
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Butterfly Weed Growing Instructions
Butterfly weed is a sun worshipper so plant it where it will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Because the plants are prairie natives Butterfly weed isn't too fussy about soil or moisture, but do prefer well-drained, slightly moist soil. They are not heavy feeders so a light application of slow-release granular fertilizer in the spring is all you need to offer.
Butterfly weed can be touchy about being transplanted so try to place it in a spot where you won't have to move it later on.
Butterfly weed is not intended for human or animal consumption.
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Light
Outside: Sun
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Colors
Orange, Yellow
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Water
Medium water needs
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Special Features
Attracts butterflies
Deer/rabbit resistant
Complement your Butterfly Weed with these varieties:
No summer garden is complete without a partnership of Black-eyed Susan and Butterfly Weed.
Butterfly bush and Butterfly Weed both produce vast quantities of nectar-rich blooms that pollinators love.
Varieties: Our Favorites

Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Deep Red'
Bearing rich, red-orange and yellow blooms, this tropical milkweed blooms until frost (or throughout the year in tropical regions). Like other varieties, it is a host for monarch butterfly caterpillars. It grows 30 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Zones 10-11 as a perennial; in colder areas, it makes a fine annual.

Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Gold'
A tropical butterfly weed (or milkweed), Silky Gold produces golden-yellow flowers all the way until frost in the North and all year long in frost-free areas. It grows 30 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Zones 10-11

Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Scarlet'
This tropical species is grown as an annual in regions that experience freezing temperatures and a perennial in frost-free regions. It grows 48 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Zones 10-11