Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)

With a name like Butterfly Weed, you may be tempted to skip it and move on to nicer-sounding options. But do not be fooled – this milkweed is actually a gem in the rough. It is a host plant for monarch butterflies, and it belongs in every sunny garden in Texas. Its bright orange blooms are attractive and hard to overlook. It is very drought tolerant due to a long taproot, and nothing seems to bother it as long as it is in the right spot. Although it is an aphid magnet, they never seem to do any permanent damage. Many bugs seem attracted to it, including milkweed bugs, but the Butterfly Weed always seems to win. It is a must-have in a butterfly garden and does very will in meadows, prairies, sunny borders, or naturalized areas.   AT A GLANCE Texas native Yes Water use Low Sun exposure Full sun to part sun Bloom color Orange Bloom time Spring, summer Mature height 1-2.5 ft Mature spread 1-2 ft Attracts Butterflies, hummingbirds Host plant Grey Hairstreak, Monarch, Queen Deer resistant Yes Poisonous Roots, sap. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Notes Bumble, honey and native bee friendly. Attracts beneficial insects.   DISTRIBUTION MAPS  USDA MAP BONAP MAP  Present in state  Present in county and native  Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state           Not present in state  Present and rare, native in county  Previously present, now extinct  Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color)