How to Grow Butterfly Flower
Perennial, Asclepias Tuberosa
Butterfly Flower (Asclepias Tuberosa) is a perennial flower that attracts
butterflies. It is also commonly called the butterfly weed, milkweed, and
butterfly milkweed. Unlike other milkweeds, the sap is not milky. It is native
to U.S., east of the Rocky Mountains. Although, today, it's grown in every
state.
Bright orange flowers bloom in mid-summer. The blooms sit atop plants that
grow 24" - 36" Tall. After blooming, seeds form in light green pods.
Butterfly flowers looks great in flower beds, rock gardens, or as container
plants. They are good as cut flowers. Make sure to plant them where you can
see butterflies floating to them in light breeze. Monarch butterflies,
and other butterflies feed on foliage. Many butterflies will be attracted
to the nectar of open blooms.
Important Note: Most parts of the Butterfly flower are toxic. Keep
them away from children or pets.
Propagation:
Butterfly Flower are grown from seed. Sow Butterfly flower seeds directly
into your flower garden. Plant them 1/8" to 1/4" deep. Or, start
the indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost.
You can also dig out the replant the tuberous roots.
How to Grow Butterfly Flower:
Butterfly Flower like full to partial sun. They prefer sandy, well drained
soil. They are drought tolerant. They do not like heavy, clay soils that
retain a lot of moisture. Water them only in the driest conditions.
Plants set out this year, will bloom the following year.
Adding a general purpose fertilizer once or twice during the season will
help to promote maximum growth and bloom. We recommend one fertilizer feeding
a couple weeks prior to blooming. The pre-bloom feeding should be high in
phosphorous.
Butterfly Flower require little maintenance. Once established, they will
thrive all season long. In the fall, the plant will die back to ground level.
The following spring, new sprouts will appear from the tuberous roots.
Insect and Disease:
Insect ad disease problems are not too common. Apply an insecticide or a
fungicide, only if a problem occurs.
More Information:
Buy Butterfly Flower seeds
How
to Grow Bellflower Plants
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