Gay Butterflies
Milkweed Seeds
a.k.a. Butterfly Weed, Pleurisy Root
Asclepias tuberosa
Heat and drought tolerant, 3 ft. tall plants produce large 6 in. clusters of vibrant summer flowers. Colors include shades of red, yellow, orange, and bronze. Flowers attract swarms of butterflies, are excellent for cutting. Winter hardy to zone 3. Grow Gay Butterflies milkweed with Sunburst Colours penstemon and Blue Cap sea holly.
Growing Gay Butterflies Milkweed Seeds
Plant Milkweed: Sow milkweed seeds ¼ in. deep in 2 in. pots or cell packs. At 65-70°F, germination is within 14-21 days. Transplant seedlings into the garden 12-18 in. apart, well before seedlings become root bound. Can direct sow into prepared seed beds in groups of 3-4 seeds, spaced 1-2 ft. apart. Thin to the strongest plant.
Grow Milkweed:
Full sun. Asclepias tuberosa tolerates heat and drought, needs only occasional water once established, will happily accept average moisture with good drainage.
Milkweeds attract bees and hummingbirds, are important nectar sources for a wide range of pollinators and provide essential nourishment for monarch butterfly larva. Plants are deer and rabbit resistant. Pinch seedlings to encourage more flowering stems per plant. Asclepias tuberosa does not have toxic milky sap like other milkweeds.
U.S. Shipping Rates
Free shipping on U.S. orders over $70.00.
Free priority shipping on U.S. orders over $200.00.
Standard U.S. shipping is $7.99.
Priority U.S. shipping is $11.99.
International Shipping Rates
Shipping to Canada is $17.99.
International shipping to all other countries is $19.99.
We guarantee all the seeds we sell for one full year from the date of purchase. If you are unsatisfied with any seeds purchased from Swallowtail Garden Seeds, we will issue a refund. For customers in the U.S., we can send one-time replacements or issue a refund.