Parker's Picks — Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed (asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed, one of Western New York’s showiest and sought after milkweeds, features striking flat-topped clusters of orange blooms in late June through August. Growing 12-18 inches tall, butterfly weed (asclepias tuberosa) is well-known for attracting Monarch butterflies as well as other pollinators. It’s a low-maintenance native perennial, and an excellent addition to sunny front borders and wildlife gardens. 

Although I’ve seen this grown in regular garden soil, it prefers snd performs best in well drained soils. Naturally, it occurs on sandy sites, in full sun (8+ hours). 

The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) used butterfly weed medicinally, applying mashed roots to strengthen runners’ legs and preparing teas for respiratory ailments such as pleurisy and bronchitis. Root preparations were also used for digestive issues. Like other milkweeds, its tough fibers could be processed into cordage for making bags, straps, and twine.