Butterflyweed Flower Butterfly Milkweed, Native Milkweed to much of the U.S.

Butterflyweed milkweed blooms in the mid to late summer.  It has long lasting blooms and goes for about 4-6 weeks covered in orange blossoms. Sow early in spring while it is still cold and you will most likely have late summer blooms.  Plants reach 2-3' tall and prefer dry and sandy soils.  It does well in garden like well drained loamy conditions too. Hardy to USDA Zone 4. Botanical Name:  Asclepias tuberosa

Characteristics: 

• Perennial and hardy to zone 4
• Plants grow to 2-3 feet
• Bright orange flowers in summer and fall
• Pollinator-friendly; extremely attractive to bees, hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies
• 75 Seeds per packet 

Instructions - It is recommended to cold stratify this seed so sow early in pots (great for winter sowing) or directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. You can also encourage germination if you miss the cold period but sowing into a tray of media, moisten, cover and place in fridge for 21 days.  Remove and provide dequate light and non freezing conditions.  It is easy to transplant and makes tubers that are easy to put anywhere you'd like. 

• Start Indoors - 8-10 weeks before the last frost or sow directly outside while still cold
• Sow 1/4" deep
• Germination 10-40 days
• Plant 12-24" apart
• Light: Partial Sun to Full Sun