Asclepias tuberosa / Butterfly milkweed

The queen of my garden. This milkweed stands out with bright orange flowers that last all summer. Tuberosa can host monarch caterpillars but they tend to prefer my Incarnata and Syriaca (Zone 5A, Quebec). That said, they seem to come for the nectar, as well as tons of bees! Good for careful gardeners, does not spread aggressively.

Culture: Sew outdoors in fall. Cold stratification required.
Start indoors up to 2 months before last frost. Germination can take up to 6 weeks. Press gently to ensure contact with soil. Keep moist and warm for germination Seedlings benefit from plenty of sun or up to 14 hours of grow light.

Space 12 to 18 inches apart.

Pro tip : Pinch or cut the tips of the seedlings (at about 4 inches) to allow the auxin hormones to produce more buds for bushier flowers. Tuberosa does not like to be transplanted because of its long taproot. So if you must move it, do it as early in the season as possible. Baby the roots and soak them while you prepare the new location. It is also late to appear in the garden. Hold on until June!

$5, 0.25+ g approx. 58 seeds

Asclepias tuberosa / Butterfly milkweed
H: 30-60 cm L: 45 cm E: 45+ cm
Sun - Sun
Flowering: orange, summer
Native of Quebec Native