Butterfly Weed
Latin Name: Asclepias tuberosa
A perennial native plant to Ontario that supports Monarch Butterfly and other pollinators. It is an especially good option if you are struggling with Swamp or Common Milkweed.
Description:
Species of milkweed lacking typical milk like sap.
Perennial Bloom time: June to August.
Height: 30 cm to 1 m Spread: 30 to 50 cm.
Flowers: clustered bright orange yellow, arranged in umbels.
Leaves: alternate on the stem (not opposite each other), lance-shaped, 5 to 10 cm long, 2 – 3 cm wide, smooth on top and downy beneath.
Deep tap roots.
Does not spread the way Common Milkweed (A. syriaca) can.
Growing Conditions
Needs full sun.
Drought tolerant once established.
Favours dry, sand or gravel soil.
Needs adequate drainage for roots.
Does well in poor soils.
Does not move well once established.
Starting from Seed: Butterfly Weed (A. tuberosa), like all native perennial plants, must go through a cold stratification process to germinate.
Direct Sowing: Plant in late fall (November) so that the seed overwinters and germinates naturally in spring. You are looking for the sweet spot of ground not warm enough to sprout seed but not so frozen that you can not poke your finger into the soil.
Pick the spot you want the plant to grow and Clear away any mulch or rocks from the area. These may block the growth of a small seedling
Water well to soak soil thoroughly
Make .6cm (1/4 inch) holes where you would like to see plants. Space holes in an L shape, plant one seed at each end of each fingertip.
Plant a seed in each hole, and cover with already moist soil.
Mark off the area you planted and if possible mark each seed with a sturdy plant marker.
If you can place a few inches of straw or leaf or other type mulch over the area to keep the soil from drying out.
Outdoors Alternative:
In late fall through to mid-winter fill pots with a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix. Plant seed 0.64 cm (1/4 inch) deep in pots and label the pots.
Place them outdoors in an area where they will experience the snow and cold of winter.
The seed will germinate in the pots in spring as the weather warms up.
Be sure to water the pots regularly in spring and once the plants are 5 cm (2 inches) tall, transplant them into your garden.
Indoors:
Start at least 5 weeks before outdoor night temperatures are generally 10 C (50 F) range.
Mix the seed with a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix.
Put this in a labelled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator for one day. The next day place this in the freezer for one day. Repeat this for one week, alternating between the fridge and the freezer.
After stratifying, plant seed 0.64 cm (1/4 inch) deep in pots. Keep moist but not soggy and very warm (21 C - 70 F).
When seedlings are 5 cm (2 inches) tall or more, transplant into the garden spaced 30 cm (1 foot) apart.
Biodiversity Benefits:
Butterflies are attracted to Butterfly Weed because of its bright colours and high production of nectar.
The flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies, hummingbirds, and insects. This plant is also the larval food source for caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly, therefore being very important to the survival of the Monarch species.
Historical Use:
Butterfly weed also has medicinal uses in treating pulmonary ailments and lung inflammations.
Native American tribes used the plant to fight wet cough and other illnesses.
