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Milkweed Seeds - Butterfly Gay Butterflies
SEASON
Perennial
USDA ZONES
3 - 8
HEIGHT
28 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Summer and fall
BLOOM COLOR
Mix
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
SOIL TYPE
Sharply-drained, even rocky, pH 5.8 - 7.2
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
HOUSE PLANT
No
About...
Butterfly Milkweed Gay Butterflies (Asclepias Tuberosa) - Start some Butterfly Weed seeds for both your garden and your neighbor's as well! Asclepias Gay Butterflies is not only an attractive water conserving perennial but it is also a wonderful food source for many beneficial insects.
MORE BUTTERFLY WEED OPTIONS
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
60F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
28 - 42 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
Yes
DEPTH
Do not cover
SOWING RATE
2 - 4 seeds per plant
MOISTURE
Keep moist until germination
PLANT SPACING
24 inches
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias Tuberosa Gay Butterflies) - Start some Butterfly Weed seeds for both your garden and your neighbor's as well! Asclepias Gay Butterflies is not only an attractive drought tolerant perennial but it is also a wonderful food source for many beneficial insects. These Butterfly Weed giant flower heads are more than 5 inches across and in vivid shades of red, yellow, and orange. These vigorous Butterfly Weed plants can bloom from early summer until frost, and they flowers are also great for cutting.
Butterfly Weed AKA Milkweed is a trouble-free wonder in the sunny garden. It readily establishes from flower seed, and then it blooms unchecked through the most severe heat and drought. Winter-hardy as well, Asclepias Tuberosa Gay Butterflies returns for years to repeat its glorious show!
Many gardeners recommend a cold treatment to help Asclepias Tuberosa seeds germinate more quickly. To do this, dampen a paper towel, place the flower seeds on the towel and seal it in a ziploc bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator for 3 - 4 weeks. After the cold treatment, start the Butterfly Milkweed seeds indoors. Do not cover the flower seeds as they need light to germinate. Transplant the Butterfly Milkweed plants outdoors once temperatures are warm and plants have 4 - 5 leaves.
Common Questions
What are some good companion plants for butterfly weed?
Perennial such as gayfeather, monarda, lavender, catmint and rudbeckia all work very well with butterfly weed.
Can I encourage more blooms on my butterfly weed plants?
Butterfly weed should bloom freely once mature (typically 3 years). If your plants are mature and you are still not blooming well, there could be a couple of factors at play. Make sure to water regularly until new growth starts (leaves and stems not just blooms) then you can decrease your watering frequency. Also, butterfly weed should NOT be fertilized, this can actually discourage blooming. If your plant is not receiving enough sunlight this can also hinder blooming, consider moving to a new location.
Do I need to prune my butterfly weed plants?
Butterfly weed does not need much pruning throughout the growing season, it can be cut back to the ground in late fall when leaves begin to yellow and stems turn brown. Do not mulch that can cause rot.
Will butterfly weed attract other pollinators besides butterflies?
Yes, bees and hummingbirds also enjoy the butterfly weed plant.
Can I use them as cut flowers?
Yes, these make an excellent quality cut flower for both floral arrangements and dried arrangements.
Why not plant milkweed on the coast?
If you live in a coastal region or near a place where monarch butterflies overwinter, it is recommended to cultivate nectar plants like blazing star and bidens to aid the monarchs during their migration to and from the overwintering spot. Adult monarch butterflies rely on milkweed for reproduction, and the presence of milkweed misleads them into thinking it is a suitable location for breeding, thus disturbing their natural migration pattern.
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