Asclepias tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies' – 'Gay Butterflies' Butterfly Weed

'Gay Butterflies' Butterfly Weed is much more than a simple perennial; it is an invitation to biodiversity in your garden. Essential for the survival of the monarch butterfly, this host plant stands out with its clusters of fiery-coloured flowers, ranging from golden yellow to orange and scarlet red. It combines flamboyant beauty with exceptional hardiness and ease of cultivation, making it a must-have choice for an ecological and colourful garden.

Characteristics

• Foliage: The plant develops sturdy, straight stems, furnished with deciduous, lance-shaped, dark green leaves.
• Flowering: In mid-summer, it produces large, flat-topped clusters (umbels) composed of a multitude of small, star-shaped flowers. The 'Gay Butterflies' mix offers a palette of warm colours including yellow, orange, and red.
• Fruiting: After flowering, very architectural, spindle-shaped seed pods form. In the fall, they open to release seeds attached to silvery silks, extending the visual interest.
• Light: It demands full sun to thrive and flower profusely.
• Habit: It forms a clump with an upright and straight habit.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height of 60 to 90 cm (2-3 feet) with a spread of 30 to 60 cm (1-2 feet).
• Soil: It thrives in poor, sandy, or gravelly soil with impeccable drainage. It does not tolerate heavy, wet soils at all.
• Hardiness: Very hardy, it faces Zone 3 winters without any problem. It is slow to emerge from the ground in spring, so patience is required.
• Resistance: This robust plant resists White-tailed deer, rabbits, and tolerates drought admirably well once established.

Uses

• Types of Use: It is an indispensable plant for pollinator gardens, butterfly gardens, prairie-style plantings, or dry, sunny borders.
• Ornamental Features: Its fiery-coloured flowers create a powerful visual impact in mid-summer. The seed pods add interesting texture in the fall and winter. It is also an excellent cut flower.

Care

• Watering: Water at planting, but once established, it is very drought-resistant and requires almost no watering.
• Fertilizing: No fertilization is necessary. It prefers poor soils.
• Pruning: No pruning is required during the season. Leave the stems and pods in place for winter interest and cut them back to the ground in the spring.
• Planting: Plant it in its final location, as its long taproot does not like to be disturbed. Be patient in the spring, as it emerges late.
• Winter Protection: No protection is required. The most important thing is to ensure perfect drainage to prevent the root from rotting.