Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a perennial wildflower native to Wisconsin. It grows one to two feet tall. The yellow orange to bright orange flower clusters, two to five inches across, are at the top of the stem. It has stiff, dark green, lance-shaped leaves that are toothless and two to six inches long. It grows best in well-drained sand, loam, clay or limestone in full sun.
It’s a favorite among butterflies, as the name suggests, but also beckons bees with its rich nectar. As in the case of other milkweeds, it is a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. But unlike many other milkweeds, Butterfly Milkweed lacks milky sap, which can surprise some folks expecting the signature trait.
Its tidy, upright form and low-maintenance nature make it a star in native gardens, restoration projects, and even sunny roadside plantings. Once established, it’s impressively drought-tolerant—perfect for Wisconsin summers that can swing from soggy to scorched.
(July)