Butterfly Weed attracts many fans
Butterfly Weed is a great choice for meadow plantings and other naturalized plantings
By CINDA RAMAY

Butterfly Weed (asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly Weed (asclepias tuberosa) is found along roadsides and naturalized areas and throughout eastern North America. It is an herbaceous perennial 18 to 30 inches tall by 18 to 24 inches wide. Butterfly Weed is a type of milkweed (a group of plants with milky sap that is poisonous to most insects). It is non-invasive and often slow to emerge in spring. It is found in full sum and welldrained soil. It will perform well in dry conditions. Aphids can be a problem on the stems and buds, but it can be hand wiped with soap or oil. Butterfly Weed is a great choice for meadow plantings and other naturalized plantings. It has leaves which are alternate or whorled and are between two and six inches long. They are a deep green color and lack significant fall color. The flowers of this plant are very showy with orange quarter-inch flowers in late spring through summer. Flowers are in flat clusters of 20 or more individual flowers

and can range in color from pale yellow to bright red. These plants produce a long, ovalshaped pod after blooming which opens to reveal small seeds. The seeds have a tuft of hair which makes them easily airborne.

Butterfly Weed is an excellent, low maintenance perennial and is an important food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Many species of butterflies eat from the flowers and thus this plant is aptly named. Butterfly Weed is easily

propagated from seed or cuttings and brings a bright splash of color to any naturalized garden setting. This plant is also listed in several publications as having medicinal properties. It is important to note that when transplanting this plant there is a DEEP taproot. Seeds for the butterfly weed are available on the Internet.

This plant may be seen in the native plant gardens of the Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center.

Daniel Reed - www.2bnthewild.com