St Charles County Master Gardeners

Butterfly weed

 

 

 

Asclepias tuberosa

Herbaceous perennial 

This is an elegant and all-too-frequently overlooked perennial Oklahoma native. I think many people avoid it or fail with it because they fail to understand how lean and dry and hot and sunny this plant likes it. Give it VERY well-drained soil in full sun, hardly ever water it, and never feed it… and it will do great for you. By all means try it….. the orange flowers are very striking and attractive…. and the plant is an absolute butterfly magnet. Your garden will be awash in flights of beauty when this perennial is in bloom.