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stratify: sow in container of moistened seed starter mix, cover with plastic and leave in refrigerator for 30 days. Then move to a warm location to germinate.
Asclepias tuberosa (Linnaeus) Butterfly Milkweed
Plant Description: Multiple stout branching stalks that are 20-80cm tall.
Hairy leaves are alternating on the stem. Leaves are 4-10 cm long and
1-2.5 cm wide. Flowers from red to yellow, mostly orange. 3-15
umbels on the sideways branching stems. The umbels are 2-5 cm
broad. Seed pods are 8-15 cm long and 1-2 cm wide.
Bloom Period: May through August
Seeds: August through October
Habitat: Dry fields, roadsides and margins of woods
Range: Throughout Georgia, Common
A virtually hassle-free, very long lived perennial, this cultivar of our native A. tuberosa offers three months of golden yellow blooms from early through late summer. Deadheading the flowers will stimulate another bloom cycle about a month after the first one.
The flowers, which are heavily laden with nectar and pollen, are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.
Gather bouquets of Asclepias all summer long; the long stems are wonderful for cutting and are long-lasting. Sear the ends of the cut stems over a flame to stop the milky sap from leaking out.
Following the fabulous flowers, green fruits develop which rupture to reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs reminiscent of its cousin, common milkweed. These are great to use in dried flower arrangements.
Easy care, drought tolerant and deer resistant, Asclepias tuberosa 'Hello Yellow' (Butterfly Weed) is a bushy perennial prized for its brilliant clusters of bright golden yellow flowers which bloom continuously from early to late summer. Sitting atop upright flowering stems, clad with stiff, lance-shaped leaves, the colorful umbels are followed by attractive seed pods in the fall. When the seed pods open, they reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs that look great in dried flower arrangements. The abundant foliage provides a dark-green backdrop which nicely compliments the cheerful flat umbel flowers. A great choice for the flower garden and for natural settings.
Milkweed plants are critical to the monarch butterflies survival, whose population in North America has plummeted by 90% in the last 20 years. By planting milkweed in your own garden, you can help reverse the fortune of these beautiful insects!
Grows in sturdy, upright clumps up to 18-24 in. tall and wide (45-60 cm)
Thrives in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Performs well in poor, dry soils.
Low maintenance, this perennial plant is generally pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
Vital ingredient of beds and borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, meadows or prairies. Asclepias tuberosa is also valued for the excellent quality of its cut flowers, whether in bouquets or dried floral arrangements.
Butterfly Weed flowers are a great nectar source for butterflies or bees.
Propagate by seed, propagate by division or root basal cuttings in spring.
Butterfly weed does not transplant well and is probably best left undisturbed once established. May freely self-seed in the landscape if seed pods are not removed prior to splitting open.
Butterfly weed will rebloom more reliably if spent flowers are removed.
Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
