Orange Milkweed
Orange Milkweed
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias Tuberosa) is a perennial wildflower that hosts butterflies, moths and pollinators and requires little care once established to enjoy the intensely hued orange scarlet flowers that bloom from June to August. With an average height of 2 feet, this is plant can tolerate drought due to long taproots. You will receive a small plant with established roots and several sets of leaves which is ready to plant in your chosen area. This plant is native to the majority of the eastern US and Canada
AT A GLANCE
CONDITIONS
Asclepsias Tuberosa thrive in well drained medium to dry soil. They should be placed 1-3 feet apart and given partial to full sun.
This milkweed does well in pool dry soils that are nuetral to slightly acidic such as rocky or sandy forests such as pinelands.
BENEFITS
Larval host to migrating Monarch Butterflies, unlike nonnative tropical milkweeds which can disrupt monarch migrations by confusing them into breeding during a time they shoud be migrating . A. Tuberosa is a host to many butterflies and pollinators and is deer resistent and a favorite of birds.
Mature plants self-seed readily, but the seedlings take up to three years to establish in the landscape. Avoid self-seeding by removing seedpods before they dry and split.
CARE
Once a location is found, you can mix some sand perlite and/or rocks deep into the soil to encourage draining. Plant in areas with most possible sun exposure. Water when first placed into ground and then sparingly. Once the taproot develops, try not to transplant your milkweed. Make sure it is planted in an area not crowded out by taller plants. May bloom in first year or take up to 3 years. Expect fewer blooms in shadier locations If planting in a clay soil, try it on a slope to increase drainage, add some sand or gravel to the planting area. Rich loam will make it floppy. Try not to move it once planted (taproot).
This plant pairs well with hyssopleafed boneset, button blazing star and rabbit tobacco