Grow Native-Asclepias tuberosa

By Cathy King, co-editor Sego Lily President, UNPS

It’s a brilliantly orange flowered plant native to Utah that can grow as much as 40” high in the most hospitable conditions, but probably shorter in a dryer, xeric garden bed. If you are looking for that bright punch of color that not only bees love but is also attractive to Monarch butterflies, consider adding Asclepias tuberosa, commonly known as butterfly weed, to your xeric perennial border. It flowers in early to mid-June and quite often has a second flush of flowers in late summer.

Asclepias tuberosa is second to A. speciosus when attracting the Monarch butterfly and the two combined are even better. If you can obtain seed, just direct sow in the fall. But well-developed plants are available at local nurseries or can be ordered online and can be planted out in the spring or fall. This spring is a perfect time to add it to your garden.