Orange Milkweed (Butterfly Weed)
Perennial
- Vibrant orange flowers support local pollinators!
- Blooms continuously through summer.
- Host plant to Monarch and Queen butterflies.
- Native perennial that is deer and disease-resistant.
- Zones 3-9, sun, 2' tall x 1.5' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Butterfly weed
Zone: 3 - 9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 1 - 2' tall X 1 - 1.5' wide
Flower color: Orange
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Rain gardens, rabbit resistant, native, dry soils, deer resistant, cold tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Accent, border, cottage gardening, erosion control or embankment, ground cover, massing, naturalizing, slopes, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Water: Dry to medium moisture
Spacing: 1-1.5 feet apart
Fertilizing: It doesn't need consistent fertilizing. You can do a very light application the first summer after planting.
Winterizing: No specific care is needed.
Propagation & pruning: Plants will self sow. Seeds can be gathered and started, though a started plant will take a few years to flower. Because of a very deep taproot, moving or dividing is not recommended. No pruning is needed.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
