Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly milkweed is a wonderful horticultural plant for landscaping to attract butterflies (particularly monarchs), whose numbers are declining and migratory routes changing due to lack of appropriate habitat. Butterfly milkweed also has strikingly beautiful flowers. Milkweed is burned in the fall to eliminate dead stalks and stimulate new growth. Burning causes new growth to have taller, straighter stems (with longer fibers). It also stimulates flower and seed production.

• Scientific name: Asclepias tuberosa
• Grows on sandy, loamy, or rocky limestone soils of prairies, open woodlands, roadsides, and disturbed areas
• Color: Orange
• Bloom Period: Summer
• Height: 18″-30″
• Type: Perennial
• Moisture: Dry, Moderate
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• USDA Hardiness zones: 3-9
• Approximately 108,000 seeds/lb
• Approximately 3,500 seeds/oz