Butterfly Weed for Sale:
Butterfly weed is one of the most pollinator-friendly plants that a gardener can grow. Its orange flowers are vibrant and ornamental. It's a plant that provides plenty of nectar for butterflies and bees, and sometimes even hummingbirds.
Here is everything you need to know about butterfly weed and where to buy one:
Butterfly Weed for Sale
Here at Wholesale Nursery Co., we sell bare root Butterfly Weed plants. When you enter your zip code, we will send out your order so that it arrives at the ideal planting time for your USDA zone. Keep reading to learn more about the butterfly weed.Scientific Name: Asclepias tuberosa
USDA Zones: 4 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Height/Habit: up to 2 feet
Spread: up to 3 feet
Flower Color: Orange/Yellow
Butterfly Weed for Sale, click here to buy
Butterfly Weed Background
Native habitat
The butterfly weed grows naturally in prairies and meadows. It has also been found on sunny slopes and woodland borders. It can grow in poor soil and will tolerate periods of drought.
Description
This plant grows around two feet tall or up to three feet in ideal conditions. It has dark green foliage and its long leaves grow in an alternating pattern.
The flowers are orange and umbel shaped. It blooms throughout summer and its spent flowers can be removed to encourage further blooming.
In winter, the vegetation may die back. However, because it's a perennial, the vegetation will regrow in spring.
Why Buy a Butterfly Weed?
It is a host plant to the monarch butterfly. This means that the butterflies lay their eggs on this plant. Then, the caterpillars feed off of their leaves, form cocoons, then emerge as fully-grown butterflies.
Without butterfly bush and other milkweeds, the monarch butterfly would not survive!
In addition to being a host plant for monarch butterflies, the butterfly weed is one of those plants that many beneficial insects flock to. Because it is rich in nectar and can regenerate nectar quickly, many hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other insects are drawn to it.
With the increasing popularity of pollinator-friendly gardens, butterfly weed is a must-have for anyone growing a pollinator garden. In the right conditions, it is easy to grow and basically takes care of itself.
Butterfly Weed Soil Requirements:
The butterfly weed should be grown in well-drained, poor, dry soils. It doesn't do well in wet soils and is susceptible to root rot if it experiences excess moisture. The butterfly weed does well in sandy, free-draining soils.
Will Butterfly Weed Come Back Every Year?
Yes, the butterfly weed will come back every year.
The butterfly weed is a perennial in USDA zones four through eight. This means that the roots will survive frosty winters and will regrow shoots in the following spring. It may be able to tolerate zone three conditions and return the following year.
Where Should I Plant It?
The best place to plant the butterfly weed is in a sunny location with dry soil. It does well in rock gardens and gardens with sandy soil. Plant it in borders, flower beds, or containers.
How Do I Plant Butterfly Weed?
- Dig a hole large enough for the roots (but not too large), the roots should be no more than an inch below the surface of the soil
- Backfill the hole and firm in the soil gently
- Mulch now or in the fall with a thin layer of mulch
- Water thoroughly to remove any air pockets and to help the plant become more established
Aftercare
- Deadheading can prolong blooming time
- If vegetation begins to rot at the end of fall, it should be removed at the base and disposed of
- Collect seeds to plant in spring or to give away
Will It Spread?
The butterfly weed will spread somewhat. It does not spread by roots or by rhizome, but by seed. Each summer, this plant will produce hundreds of seeds. When it releases those seeds, they can travel downwind.
If you don’t want your butterfly weed to spread seed too much, deadhead the spent flowers. This will encourage further blooming and decrease seed dispersal.
Is Butterfly Weed Toxic?
In traditional medicine, the butterfly weed’s root has been used for treating ailments. Extracts of the roots are still used in medicine and scientific research. It is not recommended to consume other parts of the butterfly weed, however.
Is Butterfly Weed Toxic to Animals?
Butterfly weed leaves and stems are toxic to animals if ingested. Fortunately, most pets and animals will avoid the plant. Because of its toxicity, this plant is deer-resistant.
Other Pollinator-friendly Plants for Sale:
If you are interested in adding plants to your pollinator garden, here is a list of a few of the best plants for pollinators. They are great options because they are all native to the US, they produce plenty of nectar, and they are easy to grow.
If you are ready to make your outdoor space a haven for pollinators, check out these awesome plants:
Milkweed
The milkweed is in the same group and family as the butterfly weed. It is another host plant for monarch butterflies. Unlike the butterfly weed, the milkweed spreads by rhizome. It has purple, umbel flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. It is easy to grow and can tolerate wetter soils than the butterfly weed.
Zones: 4 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: up to 3½ feet
Water: average to moist
Best for pollinator gardens, borders, woodlands edge, and cottage gardens.
To buy Milkweed, click here
Blazing Star
Blazing-star has gorgeous, tall flowers that pollinators love; this plant is almost too good to be true! It tolerates a range of soils, but does best in organic, free-draining soils. It is easy to grow and makes an excellent border plant due to its height.
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 3 to 6 feet
Water: Average
Best for the back of borders, pollinator gardens, and cottage gardens.
To buy Blazing-star Plant, click here
Goldenrod
The goldenrod is native to North America and blooms from middle to late summer. Its bright yellow, fire-work blooms draw in bees, and other beneficial insects. It can be grown in many soil types, including clay. This flower is low maintenance, easy to grow, and can self-seed.
Zones: 4 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: up to 5 feet
Water: average to moist
Best for pollinator gardens, borders, and cottage gardens.
To buy Goldenrod, click here
Jewelweed
Childhood wouldn't be the same without jewelweed. Jewelweed is a pollinator plant that has exploding flower pods. Whether you are buying this plant for your inner child or the butterflies, you won't go wrong! It is easy to grow and has stunning orange flowers surrounded by lush foliage.
Zones: 3 to 11
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 3 to 5 feet
Water: Average to moist
Best for pollinator gardens, woodland edges, and natural borders.
To buy Jewelweed, click here
Purple Coneflower
The pollinator-friendly purple coneflower is a no-fuss plant that flowers summer long. It is easy to grow and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. The purple flowers draw in pollinators and other insects. After blooming, you can dread-head the flowers or let them self-seed to have even more plants (for free)!
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: up to 3 feet
Water: average to moist
Best for pollinator gardens, borders, and cottage gardens
Check out our Purple Coneflower product page here
Yarrow
Yarrow is loved by bees and butterflies. Its umbel flowers are beautiful and come in many colors. Also, its leaves can be used to make tea. It's a win-win kind of plant. It is perennial, so it will reward you for years to come. Plus, it makes an excellent cut or dried flower.
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: up to 3 feet
Water: average to moist
Best for pollinator gardens, borders, and cottage gardens.
Whether you are looking for butterfly weed for sale or are interested in growing other pollinator-friendly flowers, we hope you found this page useful. If you have any unanswered questions about the butterfly weed, please ask! We are here to answer any of your questions.