Butterfly Weed...Bring in the Butterflies With a Michigan Native

Asclepias tuberosa is a species of milkweed native to eastern North America. It is a perennial plant growing to 0.3-1 m (1 -3 feet) tall, with clustered orange or yellow flowers from early summer to early fall. The leaves are spirally arranged, lanceolate, 5-12 cm long and 2-3 cm broad.

This plant favors dry, sand or gravel soil, but has also been reported on stream margins. It requires full sun.

It is commonly known as Butterfly Weed because of the butterflies that are attracted to the plant by its color and its copious production of nectar. It is also the larval food plant of the Queen and Monarch butterflies.

I have several plantings of this in one of my large landscape beds. The striking orange color is an awesome contrast. I have one large plant in front of one of my deep purple butterfly bushes and I have butterflies fluttering around all summer. It is quite a sight!