Plant of the Week: Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa

This cherished Missouri native delights us with brilliant orange flowers in summer. The blossoms, which are heavily laden with nectar and pollen, are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies and bees. Deadheading flowers will stimulate another bloom cycle about a month after the first one. Green fruits develop which rupture to reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs. These are great to use in dried flower arrangements. Drought tolerant, sun perennial, grows 2-3' tall.

Thank you to for teaching us about the Butterfly Weed. Like Sugar Creek Gardens Facebook to stay up-to-date on nursery happenings and for more beautiful photos.