Butterfly weed must be grown in full sun with good drainage. It thrives in light, sandy soils—in fact, it flourishes in the almost pure sand of Martha’s Vineyard, one of the many areas where it is native. Propagation is tricky and is best left to a professional. It is not advisable to move plants once they are established (do not transplant them from the wild); the brittle roots snap off easily, causing an almost always fatal shock.
Butterfly weed, a milkweed, is one of eastern North America’s most brightly colored wildflowers. In summer, plants are topped with dense clusters of curiously shaped blossoms. New cultivars come in a variety of colors, while the wildflower is almost always orange. When using it for cut flowers, flame the stems to stop the flow of milky sap (see page 119). Butterfly weed’s spectacular flowers are followed in early fall by seedpods that burst, releasing their feathered seeds to float like dancing angels on the breeze.
Plant these hot-colored plants with other vibrant bloomers to create a garden sensation. Alternatively, group with plants with white flowers and those with gray foliage, to shine as the stars of the show. Combined with yarrows, coneflowers, sedums, and many ornamental grasses, butterfly weed can turn a dry or sandy slope into a stunning summer flower garden.
ZONES: 3–9
BLOOM TIME: Summer
LIGHT: Full sun
HEIGHT: 12–24 inches
INTEREST: Blooms in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red; makes long-lasting cut flowers; irresistible to butterflies, particularly monarchs