A detailed look at characteristics of Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). These images and narrative can help to accurately identify the plant during different seasons of the year.
Love this. I have SO MUCH trouble every year in the spring, trying to identify what I already have. Especially if there is a ' volunteer' in a new location, I am struggling, and hate to "weed out" something I'd actually like to keep. I really appreciate your photos and description of the emergent plant in the spring time. Thanks!
They are easy to grow from seed but may take a couple of years to bloom. Large plants can bloom sooner but especially if taken from the wild they may not survive transplantation. They are late to sprout but the earlier in the year that you plant them, the more likely they are to survive. Also if you plant early the more likely they are to bloom the same year.
In the daytime you're likely to see butterflies, bees other pollinators, even flies and ants attracted by the flowers, scent and nectar. At night the flowers attract several types of moths. Check out the Milkweed Tussock Moth, and the Dogbane Tiger Moth, there's probably others too. Those ones I've seen recently and are known pollinators of Asclepias (Milkweed).
