Species butterfly weed
Yellow-orange flower with brown-green buds, green leaves, yellow midribs  and brown white-brown stems.

butterfly weed

Asclepias tuberosa 'Blonde Bombshell'

Also Known As - Orange Milkweed,Chigger Plant
Butterfly weed, or Asclepias tuberosa 'Blonde Bombshell', is a stunning addition to any garden. Its vibrant orange flowers are an attractive nectar source for butterflies and other beneficial insects, making it especially useful for wildlife gardens. The plant is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and easy to maintain, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens. In addition, its fragrant blooms make it a nice addition to cutting gardens as well. Whatever type of garden you have, you’ll be sure to appreciate this beautiful butterfly weed with its bright, cheerful blooms and its beneficial qualities.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow/orange Flowers

Sun:

Full sun Partial sun

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Rocky

Fruits:

brown Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Butterfly Weed deeply and infrequently. During the blooming period, which is usually from May-August, water the plant every week or so. During the summer months, water the plant about twice a month. In the winter, water only once a month or less. When watering, you should give the plant a deep soaking to ensure that the soil is well saturated. Avoid overwatering, as too much water can lead to root rot.

sunlight

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa 'Blonde Bombshell') prefers to grow in full sun and should receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to reach its full potential and to ensure ideal blooming and lush foliage. This plant prefers well-drained soil and should be planted in an area of the garden that gets nothing less than 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Ideally, the butterfly weed should receive 8 hours of direct sunlight per day and should get some protection from afternoon shade during the hottest days of the summer.

pruning

When pruning Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa 'Blonde Bombshell'), it's important to be mindful of the plant's growth behavior and blooming period. To promote a full, beautiful bloom, you should prune in the late spring after the plant has flowered. As the plant begins to look sparse and wilted, trim off dead stems and any foliage that looks brown or diseased. Prune off only the dead parts of your Butterfly weed, avoiding the green, living stems. You should also leave a few of the seedpods which contain the butterfly weed's colorful seeds. Avoid pruning too much, as this may reduce or prevent flowering in the coming season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Asclepias tuberosa 'Blonde Bombshell' typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Asclepias tuberosa 'Blonde Bombshell' typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Asclepias tuberosa 'Blonde Bombshell' is in July and August.

Hardiness Map