How to Grow Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)

Butterfly weed is a North American native wildflower that blooms in shades of yellow, red and orange.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bypass Pruners
• Fertilizers
• Garden Hoses
• Garden Trowels
• Mulch
• Plants
• Plants

Choosing Butterfly Weed

1. Look for plants at nurseries in late spring through summer, and into fall in warmer climates.

2. Buy plants in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers; small plants transplant better.

3. Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flower buds.

Planting Butterfly Weed

4. Plant butterfly weed in full sun in well-drained soil.

5. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

6. Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers.

7. Set the plants 1 foot apart.

8. Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

9. Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for Butterfly Weed

10. Cut off dead stems in late winter or early spring using bypass pruners.

11. Watch out when you're digging in the garden in spring - butterfly weed starts growing late in the spring.