Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) (Pleurisy root)

So important for the survival of or beautiful Monarch Butterflies. The Monarch butterfly population has diminished by a horrifying 90% in 25 years! This Butterfly Weed is a wonderful garden plant that is super easy to grow in almost any sunny position. You’ll enjoy a long season of brilliant orange flowers late-spring – summer set against bushy deep green foliage. Flowers provide nectar for many butterflies including Monarchs and the leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). Also called pleurisy root in reference to medicinal use of the plant roots to treat lung inflammations. Genus name honors the Greek god Asklepios … the god of medicine. Tuberosa refers to it’s bulbous long tap-root, which can make it difficult to transplant, so plant it where you want it! Each year it gets better and bushier with more and more blooms. May self-seed if seed pods aren’t removed prior to opening. Drought tolerant. Ht. 1-1/2 ft Perennial zone 3-9