Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepius tuberosa)
Perennial
Seed Count: 50-60
Days to Germinate: 30 days of cold, moist stratification. See: Winter Sowing & Stratification
Depth to Sow: 1/4"
Seed Spacing: When seedlings are 2" high, thin to 1' apart
Color: Orange
Height: 2'
Bloom Time: June - August
Sun Exposure: Full to partial shade
Soil Moisture: Medium to dry soil
Soil Type: Well drained sand, loam, clay or limestone
Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds, bumble bees, honey bees
Natural Habitat: Prairies, open woods, canyons and hillsides throughout many states
Drought Tolerance: High
Deer Resistance: High
Larval Host: Monarch and Grey Hairstreak butterflies
Native Zone: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Pure Live Seed (PLS) Viability Value: 90%
Description:
Butterfly Milkweed is a host plant for the Monarch and the Grey Hairstreak butterflies (host plants are the only plants that the caterpillars can live on).
It grows best in a dry and sunny location. Mature plants in ideal locations can make as many as 20 stems at an average height of 2.’ The vivid orange color, low mounded profile, and ability to attract and sustain butterflies make this plant a well-known favorite for all types of gardens. Butterfly weed has an interesting and unusual flower structure. Plant it among other mid-sized perennials.
some info from www.wildflower.org