Description
Asclepias tuberosa
CT DR P
Soil: Sandy, Well-drained
Moisture: Average to Dry
Light: Full Sun
Plant Height: 1 to 3 feet
Plant Width: 1 to 2 feet
Pests: None
Landscape Value: Great for sunny borders and slopes, butterfly gardens, meadows, dry/open woods, and naturalized areas.
A garden favorite! Clump-forming perennial with showy clusters of bright orange to orange-yellow flowers on upright stems bearing long, narrow leaves. Flowers bloom in July and August, followed by seed pods that split open when ripe releasing silky-haired seeds that are wind-dispersed. Freely self-seeds; deadhead to prevent self-sowing. Plants have deep tap-roots and are best left undisturbed once established. Unlike other milkweeds, this species does not produce milky sap. Susceptible to crown rot if grown in poorly drained soils. Tolerates drought, heat, and shallow-rocky soil. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees, and predatory insects that prey on insect pests. Larval host to Monarch, Queen and Grey Hairstreak butterflies and Milkweed Tussock moths.
Landscape plugs, 2″ wide by 5″ deep, sold in quantity 5 or 10
Photo credits:
Missouri Botanical Garden
