Saturday, July 08, 2006

Asclepia tuberosa - Butterfly Weed or Milkweed


This native perennial has an umbel of tiny orange flowers that really pop out at you in the landscape. I found this one growing in Alabama on my family's property. I wasn't sure how it would transplant but it has done well with a little extra care. Butterfly weed does attract butterflies (Monarch Butterflies) and I've seen this plant blooming in orange, reddish orange, and a yellowish orange. A few weeks ago it was already in full bloom in North Georgia but mine has just started.