Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Orange

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Background, Perennial Border, Roadside, Walls / Fences, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Butterfly weed is a Utah native perennial, and provides bright color mid to late summer. Plants grow about 15 to 18 inches tall and wide, with erect stems of deep green leaves and vivid orange flowers at the terminal ends. Flowers are followed by seed pods with hairy tufts. A favorite of butterflies, especially Monarchs.

Grow in well drained soils in full sun to part shade. Will grow in clay or loam soils. It has a long tap root, so purchase smaller plants or start from seed. Tap roots will also make them hard to transplant. Slow to emerge in the spring, and slow to establish, generally, its a plant that needs a little patience, but not much else. It tends to die back after flowering; just let the process happen and don't be tempted to remove the stems, as the plant is pulling in all that food for the next seasons growth.