Asclepias tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies'

Butterfly Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, Gay Butterflies Butterfly Weed

A colorful seed-grown mix of native butterfly weed producing bright orange, yellow, and red-orange flower clusters. ‘Gay Butterflies’ offers the same outstanding pollinator and monarch value as the species, with added color variation for meadow plantings and sunny perennial borders.

Key features



Width: 18–24 in (1.5–2 ft)



Height: 24–36 in (2–3 ft)



Flower color: Mixed — orange, yellow, red-orange



Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer



Foliage: Narrow, lance-shaped green leaves



Form: Upright, clump-forming



Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial



Growing conditions



Sun: Full sun



Soil: Dry to medium, well-drained; prefers sandy or gravelly soils



Water: Low; drought tolerant once established



Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9



Landscape use



Pollinator and butterfly gardens



Native meadows and prairie plantings



Perennial borders



Xeric and low-water landscapes



Restoration projects



Notes



Larval host plant for monarch butterflies



Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators



Generally deer resistant



Deep taproot—avoid transplanting once established



Seed pods provide late-season interest



Flower color varies plant to plant due to mix

Plant type

Perennial

Height

24-36"

Width

18-24"'

Hardiness zones

3–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Fall, Early Summer, Late Summer, Summer

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Birds, Butterflies

Soil

Sandy well-drained

Shape

Clumping, Fan-shaped

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

Yes