Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Asclepias tuberosa
Source: OWSL
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Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Asclepias tuberosa
Butterfly Milkweed
Asclépiade tubéreuse

Synonyms

butterflyweed
orange milkweed
pleurisy root

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Orange Bloom Period: Jun - Aug
Hauteur max: 2,0 feet
Max Width: 3,0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Hummingbird friendly Supports hummingbirds
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
drought Tolerant Tolerates drought conditions
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

Semences disponible
Disponible à la table Mi-soleil, sec
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Butterfly Milkweed is well suited for sunny, dry locations and performs best in well-drained soils, making it ideal for borders, and prairie-style plantings. It adds vibrant colour to mid-summer gardens. Unlike other milkweeds, it does not spread aggressively, forming neat clumps that are easy to manage in smaller garden spaces. It is a valuable plant for pollinators, attracting butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects with its bright orange summer flowers.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Asclepias tuberosa
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Bouclier boréal
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Asclepias tuberosa

Specialized Bees Supported by Asclepias tuberosa

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Asclepias (Milkweed Cultivars)
  • Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed)
  • Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Couvrir très légèrement
  • Sow by March
  • Stratification duration: 30 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
  • Harvesting:
    • Utiliser la main pour détacher de la tige principale
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non-seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.