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(Asclepias tuberosa ‘Butterfly Weed’)

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Butterfly Weed Milkweed is a native perennial flower that grows in prairies, open woods, fields, and along roadsides throughout most of the United States. When mature, this plant can grow up to 2-3'. It is characterized by hairy, upright stems, lance-shaped leaves, and striking clusters of orangish-yellow flowers on top. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, self-sows, and has medicinal properties! 

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2017 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association
  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
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​Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: Asclepias

Species: tuberosa

Variety: Butterfly Weed Milkweed

Also Known As: Pleurisy Root, Orange Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed.

Native to: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Ease of Growing: Moderate

Grown as: Perennial
 
Maturity (Blooms): Summer

Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). 

Containers?: Yes. This widely used native milkweed has more compact growth, although it does have underground rhizomes, so I would suggest using a 10″ pot or larger, depending on the size of your plant.

Height: 24-36”
 
Spacing: 15-18”

​Sow Depth: 1/8"
 
USDA Zone: 3-10

Produces: hairy upright stems, slim lance-shaped leaves, and showy clusters of orangish yellow flower tops

Uses: Butterfly gardens, meadows, prairies, or naturalized/native plant areas. Also effective in sunny borders.
In late fall, direct sow just below the surface in full sun and sandy or well drained soil. This plant also tolerates dry or rocky soil. Plant three seeds together every 15-18 inches. Germination will take place in the spring, after the last frost. When the seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant; seedlings usually do not survive transplanting, since they resent any disturbance of their roots. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and refrigerate for 30 days before direct sowing.
Young plants should be watered until they become established; mature plants can tolerate drought, and the roots will be damaged by excessively wet soil. Butterfly Weed grows slowly, and this plant may take 2-3 years to produce flowers. Though not invasive, this plant will eventually spread if left to drop its seed. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Deer avoid this plant. If aphids become a problem, dislodge them from the plant with a strong stream of water.
This makes a striking cut flower. Because the stems contain no milky sap, these flowers tend to have a longer vase life than most milkweed varieties. Cut the stems long, choosing flowers that have just opened.
After the plant finishes flowering, 3-4” narrow pods will form. Be sure to harvest the pods before they split and the silky fluff carries the seeds away on the wind. As soon as the seeds inside the pod ripen to their mature brown color, remove the pods and spread them out to dry. Split open the pods and take out the silky seed material. Remove the fluff from the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
Also commonly called pleurisy root in reference to a prior medicinal use of the plant roots to treat lung inflammations.
Source
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Tagetes (marigolds), Morning glory and Sunflower to attract aphid predators.

Suggested Varieties

(Tagetes erecta ‘Naughty Marietta’)

Naughty Marietta Marigold is a compact annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing on banks and slopes throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 6-12” and features divided green foliage and aromatic flower heads with yellow petals with mahogany streaks at their base. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, repels bean beetles, cabbage loopers, and nematodes, is both edible and medicinal, and can be used as a trap crop for aphids. 

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(Tagetes erecta ‘Sparky Mix’)

Sparky Marigold is a compact annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing on banks and slopes throughout the central and eastern United States. This plant grows up to 9-12 inches tall and has green foliage that is divided. Its orange and yellow flowers have wavy petals and emit a pleasant aroma. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, repels bean beetles, cabbage loopers, and nematodes, is both edible and medicinal, and can be used as a trap crop for aphids. 

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(Ipomoea purpurea ‘Grandpa Ott’)

Grandpa Ott' Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico and South America but can be found growing in thickets, fallow fields, and along roadsides throughout the state of Arizona. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach a length of 6-10' and features heart-shaped dark green leaves and 5" deep purple flowers with ruby red centers. This plant is adaptable and can grow in a container or hanging basket. It also has the added benefit of attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In addition to being edible and medicinal, it has the unique ability to self-sow!

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(Ipomea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’)

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach a length of 6-9' and features heart-shaped dark green leaves and 4-5" bright sky-blue blooms with lovely white centers. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, has medicinal properties, and self-sows!

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(Ipomoea nil ‘Picotee Blue’)

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Picotee Blue Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico and South America but can be found growing throughout the southern United States. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach a length of 6-9' and features heart-shaped dark green leaves and dramatic 6" blue blooms with bright white edging a purple star inside. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and hummingbirds, has medicinal properties, and self-sows!

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(Ipomoea purpurea ‘Tall Mixed’)

Tall Mixed Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico and South America but can be found growing in thickets, fallow fields, and along roadsides throughout the state of Arizona. At maturity, the vines of this plant can reach a length of 6-9' and features heart-shaped dark green leaves and 3-4" flower blooms in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and hummingbirds, has medicinal properties, and self-sows!

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(Ipomoea alba ‘White’)

White Morning Glory is a warm-weather annual flowering vine that is native to Mexico and South America but can be found growing throughout several states. When fully grown, the vines of this plant can extend beyond 10 feet in length. It showcases dark green leaves that are heart-shaped and white fragrant flowers measuring 5 to 6 inches. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, lacewings, and pollinating moths, has medicinal properties, and self-sows!

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(Helianthus annuus ‘Autumn Beauty’)

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Autumn Beauty Sunflower is a native annual flower that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 5-6' and features hairy stems & heart-shaped green leaves, and 4-6” yellow, orange, red, bronze, or mahogany flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, makes dye, and is used as a cut flower! 

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(Helianthus annuus ‘Mammoth’)

Mammoth Sunflower is a native annual plant that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 8-12' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 12-24” yellow flower heads. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye! 

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(Tithonia rotundifolia ‘Mexican’)

Mexican Sunflower is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing throughout Louisiana and Florida. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 4-6' and features 3-12” lobed dark green leaves and 3” orange-red flowers with orange-yellow disks. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, and is used as a cut flower! 

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(Helianthus annuus ‘Velvet Queen’)

Velvet Queen Sunflower is a native annual plant that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3-4' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 4-6” flowers in shades of bronze, red, and mahogany with dark centers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye! 

Shop

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  • Store
    • Gift Certificates
    • Our Flower Seeds >
      • Alyssum, Sweet
      • Baby's Breath
      • Balsam
      • Bee Plant
      • Bergamot
      • Billy Buttons
      • Black-Eyed Susan
      • Blanket Flower
      • Blazing Star
      • Boneset
      • Burning Bush
      • Calendula
      • Camass
      • Canterbury Bells
      • Cardinal Flower
      • Castor Bean
      • Catchfly
      • Celosia
      • China Asters
      • Chinese Houses
      • Clarkia
      • Clover
      • Coleus
      • Columbine
      • Compass Plant
      • Coneflower
      • Coral Bells
      • Cornflower
      • Cosmos
      • Dahlia
      • Daisy
      • Dame's Rocket
      • Dusty Miller
      • False Goats Beard
      • Four O'Clocks
      • Foxglove
      • Gas Plant
      • Gazania
      • Gilia
      • Hibiscus
      • Hollyhock
      • Ice Plant
      • Iris
      • Irish Moss
      • Joe Pye Weed
      • Lacy Phacelia
      • Lamb's Ear
      • Larkspur
      • Lupine
      • Marigold
      • Milkweed
      • Moonwort
      • Morning Glory
      • Moss Rose
      • Nasturtiums
      • Nemophila
      • Obedient Plant
      • Pansy
      • Penstemon
      • Petunia
      • Pheasant's Eye
      • Pink Nodding Onion
      • Poached Egg Plant
      • Polka Dot Plant
      • Poppy
      • Poppy Mallow
      • Purple Rock Cress
      • Queen of the Prairie
      • Red Hot Poker
      • Rose of Heaven
      • Sedum
      • Snapdragon
      • Spider Plant
      • Spiderwort
      • Strawflower
      • Sunflower
      • Sweet Williams
      • Tobacco
      • Winged Everlasting
      • Zinnia
    • Our Fruits Seeds >
      • Strawberries
    • Our Herb Seeds >
      • Angelica
      • Anise
      • Balm: Lemon
      • Basil
      • Bee Balm
      • Borage
      • Caraway
      • Catnip
      • Chamomile
      • Chervil
      • Chia
      • Chives
      • Coriander
      • Cress
      • Cumin
      • Dill
      • Fennel
      • Fenugreek
      • Heal All
      • Hyssop
      • Lavender
      • Lemongrass
      • Lovage
      • Marjoram
      • Mint
      • Monkshood
      • Motherwort
      • Oregano
      • Peppercorn
      • Rosemary
      • Sage
      • Savory
      • Skullcap
      • Sorrel
      • St. John's Wort
      • Tarragon
      • Thyme
      • Toothache Plant
      • Valerian
      • Yarrow
    • Our Vegetable Seeds >
      • Amaranth
      • Artichoke
      • Arugula
      • Asparagus
      • Beans
      • Beets
      • Broccoli
      • Brussels Sprouts
      • Cabbage
      • Carrots
      • Cauliflower
      • Celery
      • Collards
      • Corn
      • Corn Salad
      • Cucumbers
      • Eggplant
      • Gourd
      • Ground Cherry
      • Kale
      • Kohlrabi
      • Leeks
      • Lettuce
      • Melons
      • Mustard
      • Okra
      • Onions
      • Parsley
      • Peas
      • Peppers
      • Pumpkin
      • Radish
      • Rhubarb
      • Salsify
      • Spinach
      • Squash
      • Swiss Chard
      • Tomatillo
      • Tomato
      • Turnips
  • Point System
  • Get More, Here's How
  • Contact Us