Lovely orange and yellow flowers in June and July, followed by small spindle-shaped seed pods which when ripe will open to release silky seeds to be dispersed in the wind. Butterfly Weed is an important plant for butterflies, the leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars and the flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies. Typically grows in clumps 1 to 3 feet tall, and is found in dry, rocky open woods, prairies, fields, and roadsides. It must have a dry site and seeds readily given the right conditions. This species does not have milky-sapped stems. Asclepias tuberosa pairs well with other native plants such as asters, coneflowers and ornamental grasses. Once established Butterfly Weed is very drought tolerant but difficult to transplant due to the large taproot.
