Height:

24.0 Inches

Spread:

24.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Yellow/Gold Shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Low Water Needs Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer Midsummer Late Summer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Bee Friendly

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant

Seasonal Interest:

Dried Seed Heads

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Eclectic Prairie Rain Garden

Other Features:

Border Plant Cut Flower Dried Flower Drought Tolerant Mass Planting

Origin:

Native to North America

Asclepias tuberosa is a prairie plant native to North America from S. Ontario and New York, west to N. Dakota, southwest to Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, and south to Florida (zones 3-9). Found naturally in dry fields and on slopes, it does not require rich soil or much moisture. A full day of sun is best along with a slightly acidic, sandy-humus-loam that is well-drained (especially in winter).

Once established, Butterfly Weed is drought-tolerant and requires little care. Though it is perfectly cold-hardy in the north, mulching plants in winter will help prevent frost-heaving. In spring, trim back last year's growth and await the beautiful new foliage which will appear quite a bit later than other perennials. It's a good idea to grow this perennial from seed; division, though seldomly needed, is difficult because of the plant's long tap root.

Growing Temperature:

60-65° F

Holding Temperature:

50-60° F

Soil PH:

5.8-6.2

EC (What is EC?):

1.5-2.5 pour through method

Fertility:

Fertilize at 75-100 ppm N at each watering.

For Controlled Release or Slow Release Fertilizer, see your preferred supplier for recommended rates for incorporation or top dressing, as it varies by fertilizer.

Vernalization:

6-9 weeks of temperatures below 40° F are recommended to produce a quality flowering plant.

Pests & Diseases:

Crown and root rot (Sclerotium), web blight and root rot (Rhizoctonia), leaf spots (Phyllosticta), rust (Puccinia), Cucumber Mosaic virus (CMV). Thrips are the main insect pest, Oleander aphids can also be a problem on Asclepias spp.

Potting & Timing:

Asclepias has a taproot which can be trimmed to fit the container when planting from bare root.

Moisture:

Asclepias tuberosa and A. tuberosa 'Hello Yellow' - For bare root after an initial watering in, keep dry until plants break dormancy, then water evenly. Established plants should be watered moderately, then allowed to dry slightly between waterings.
Asclepias incarnata prefers higher moisture levels, and should be grown in average to wet conditions.

Planting Level:

Plant 'high' so crown protrudes above soil line for bare root, plug even with the soil line.

PGRs/Pinching:

Plants can be sheared to promote lateral branching.

Lighting:

Asclepias requires long days (14 hours) to break dormancy.

Other Comments:

In the garden, Asclepias is very slow to break dormancy.

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