Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa, is a spectacular and undemanding native plant, and similar to Queen Anne’s Lace, most beautiful along roadsides. Coinciding with the ripening of the blackberries in the mountains, Butterfly Weed is a tremendous plant for those gardeners that value native plants and/or who hope to attract butterflies. Butterfly Weed emerges late in spring, so be patient (and don’t disturb the soil). Butterfly Weed is one of our most drought tolerant plants, thus ideal for xeric gardens. Once established Butterfly Weed can be tough to move, due to the tuberous nature of the root system (ie: Asclepias tuberosa). Hummingbirds will visit Butterfly Weed, presumably while waiting for your Cardinal Flower to come into bloom.
Additional information about Butterfly Weed.
Technorati Tags: Asclepias, Butterfly Weed, native plants, butterflies, drought tolerant plants, xeric gardens, Hummingbirds
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[…] Butterfly Weed […]
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Barrie, your asclepias tuberosa has dark, purplish stems… this is a silly thing to notice, I’m sure, but my butterfly weed does not and it makes a world of difference. It elevates it from beautiful to stunning somehow.
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Hi Kim…the butterfly weed in the photographs was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen - it was up in the mountains…completely native and just brilliant. I agree with your comments about asclepias completely.
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I found one of these that has red blooms. It was growing wild on the side of the road. The red is very bright!
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I was surfing the internet Monday afternoon during my break, and found your blog by searching MSN for gardening soil. This is a topic I have great interest in, and follow it closely. I liked your insight on Garden Mob Perennial and Rose Gardening very much, and it made for good reading. Keep up the good work…
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Nice…
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To move Butterfly weed by hand, soak the ground several feet around the plant with a hose or buckets, yes buckets and then wash the mud carefully away from the tubers. To move fast dig 24-30″ tree spade ball and replant the entire ball. Same procedure for wild poppies, mums and Queen Anne lace.