Plant Family
Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae)
Common Names
Orange butterfly weed, Butterfly milkweed
Description
- One of many native milkweeds found throughout the United States and parts of Canada
- Hhardy and long lived
- Grows to about 2 to 3 feet high and wide
- Brilliant orange flowers bloom mid-summer
- Some cultivars are available in yellow
- Tolerates dry, well drained soils with no additional fertilizer
- Needs full sun
- Hardy to -33 degrees Farenheit (Cultivars may be less cold tolerant)
Orange Butterfly Weed Photo credit: Anthony Zukoff Flickr CC B-NC-SA 2.0 Attracts
Orange butterfly weed is a particularly important food source for the adult and caterpillar stages of a variety of butterfly species.
