Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed is a bushy, upright, native perennial with branched clusters of orange flowers. The dark green leaves are stiff and lance-shaped.
Large seedpods split open in fall releasing showy, silky seeds.
The flower color, fall leaf color, and interesting seedpods make this plant a wonderful addition to landscapes in our area. It is important to native insects, so it makes a good addition to a pollinator garden.
Butterfly milkweed naturally grows on sandy or rocky soil.
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed is a bushy, upright, native perennial with branched clusters of orange flowers. The dark green leaves are stiff and lance-shaped.
Large seedpods split open in fall releasing showy, silky seeds.
The flower color, fall leaf color, and interesting seedpods make this plant a wonderful addition to landscapes in our area. It is important to native insects, so it makes a good addition to a pollinator garden.
Butterfly milkweed naturally grows on sandy or rocky soil.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Asclepias tuberosa
Pronunciation
ass-KLE-pee-us too-ber-OH-suh
Mature Height
15 to 18 in.
Mature Spread
15 to 18 in.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
orange
Bloom time
mid- to late summer
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
North America
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 4-9
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,000 ft.
Performance
Butterfly milkweed has grown well for many years at the Water Wise Demonstration Garden.
Its flowers are usually very attractive, as are the fall foliage and seedpods. It looks especially nice when growing next to purple gayfeather, which blooms at the same time.
Maintenance
Cut old stems to ground level in late winter or early spring. These plants have a tap root and cannot be divided.
If seeding is not desired, the seedpods should be removed before they split.