Native Intelligence Asclepias tuberosa — Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa — Butterfly Milkweed “This plant has prolific orange blooms and is relatively short at 2 to 3 feet. It actually prefers a sandy soil. I’ve noticed that it doesn’t like to persist for more than a few years.” The flowers attract many butterflies, including great-spangled fritillaries, sulphurs and crescents. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves. Several types of bees, wasps and beetles visit the flowers for nectar.
Cultivate: • • •
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil Height: 1-3’ Partners: Liatris, coneflowers, prairie dropseed, prairie phlox, Ohio spiderwort
Bonus:
Tolerates dry soil and attracts monarch butterflies when it blooms June through August.
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The Landscape Contractor February 2017