Asclepias tuberosa (Orange Butterfly Weed)
 
A striking, long-lived perennial, Butterfly Weed is known for its clusters of brilliant orange flowers that light up the summer garden. Its deep taproot makes it extremely drought-tolerant, while its upright habit and showy blooms make it a favorite of pollinators. After flowering, it produces narrow seed pods that split open to release silky, wind-borne seeds.
 
Butterfly Weed is a vital host plant for Monarch caterpillars and other milkweed specialists. Its nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout the summer. Tough and low-maintenance, it thrives in dry, sandy, or gravelly soils and is perfect for borders, pollinator gardens, and naturalized plantings.
 
Light: Full sun
Soil: Dry to medium, well-drained (tolerates sandy or rocky soils)
Height: 1–2.5 ft
Bloom time: Summer (June–August)
Wildlife value: Host plant for Monarchs and other milkweed-feeding caterpillars; nectar source for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds; seeds eaten by birds

✨ A tough, drought-tolerant native with dazzling blooms and high ecological value — a must-have for pollinator gardens.