Butterfly Weed
Description
24-36" tall, 12-24" wide. The most famous member of our native milkweed family, and a well-known magnet for butterflies, Butterfly Weed prefers fast-draining, gritty soil and exposure to full sun. Blooming from early through late summer, this fragrant beauty has a deep-reaching tap root that should not be disturbed. Unlike other milkweeds, Butterfly Weed does not possess the milky sap that can irritate skin and eyes. This is a no-fuss plant that requires very little aftercare and is deer-resistant. To achieve a bushy look, pinch back young stems. Stalks and pods provide interest in the winter garden.
Butterfly weed is a milkweed from the Asclepias family, named after the famous Greek God of Medicine. The plants have long been used in herbal medicine, where they're also known as Pleurisy Root.
Butterfly Weed is common from Canada southwards.
Native Range for Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) - AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV.
