Butterfly weed has a taproot, so once planted it’s difficult to move. The stems are distinct because they are very hairy; however, unlike other milkweeds it doesn’t have a milky sap when broken. Dry peat will wick moisture away from the soil and plant roots. Asclepias tuberosa, also known as milkweed, comes up very late in spring. By continuing to use our site you agree to our procedures as for fall sowing. It will bloom late the first year if started early and given enough sun. It is native to the prairies of the Midwestern United States. Butterfly weed also attracts swallowtails, painted ladies, hairstreaks, and fritillaries. Some catalogs call it butterfly plant or butterfly flower because they don't want to say "weed".
How to Protect Your Flowers From Harmful Garden Caterpillars
It is about one to two feet tall, with glossy, lanceolate leaves that are arranged spirally up the length of the stem. Don’t spray to kill them or you’ll not have any beautiful butterflies.Plant butterfly weed in a perennial garden close to where you can view the butterflies from a window or deck. Keep the plants well watered the first year and fertilize once in spring with compost. Butterfly weed is also hardier and more adapted to a wider range of soils, making it a good choice if you’re having a hard time growing butterfly bush successfully. Butterfly weed in early spring is….nowhere to be found. Aphids can sometimes be a problem and are easily controlled with sprays of insecticidal soap. It also looks good with ornamental grasses and other native plants like goldenrod.For a contrast, plant butterfly weed with the blue, purple, or rose-colored blooms of perennials like aster, balloon flower, and Joe Pye weed. Some nurseries offer it in yellow. Trim old growth every spring to keep them neat and healthy.No fertilizer is required, and may even harm the plant.Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Cutback the plant to the ground in fall after a frost and compost it. Be carefully when pruning the plant as the stems have a milky sap that might be irritating to your skin. Butterfly weed may not bloom the first year planted. True to its name, this plant attracts butterflies, including the endangered monarch butterfly. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart. The seed pods that develop in late summer and fall are very decorative and make a unique addition to flower arrangements.Bloom time is typically from July to September or early October, and you can keep plants flowering longer by deadheading.Now that you know how to grow and care for butterfly weed, why not learn Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates It is an obligate long … Keep them in your refrigerator for 1-3 months until you’re ready for them.Another tip is to get the peat pots wet before filling them with soil. Asclepias tuberosa, or butterfly weed, is a hardy perennial that blooms summer into fall. Butterfly weed is a very easy plant to care for and a perfect choice for a Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow and care for butterfly weed.Butterfly weed should not be confused with butterfly bush, a non-native plant that is considered invasive throughout most of the U.S. It also fills your garden with warm color and once established will return to bloom year after year. They do attract butterflies with nectar but don’t actually provide for their whole life cycle.Besides monarchs, planting butterfly weed will bring a host of other pollinators to your garden. Butterfly weed looks great when planted in masses, but make sure you space plants 1-2’ apart.Give seedlings plenty of water while they get established. Late summer to fall in colors of orange, red, yellow and pink.Native, attracts hummingbirds, attracts beneficials, drought tolerant, deer resistantThis native has less stature, compared with the butterfly bush, but is just as effective at drawing in winged friends, such a butterflies, ladybugs and beneficial insects, into the garden. The best way to plant a butterfly weed plant is to sow a seed directly in the soil and wait for it to germinate. Make sure the area you’ve chosen drains well, and mix in some Then, sow the seeds 4-6” inches apart (you can thin them in the spring when they sprout).You don’t need to worry about watering or caring for the seeds through the winter.