Asclepias tuberosa Gay Butterflies Mix

Asclepias tuberosa Gay Butterflies Mix is a brilliantly colored mix of native Butterfly Weed in shades of fiery red, orange, and yellow, blooms in June through August, when flowers appear in dense clusters. Butterfly Weed adds sizzle to the hot-colored border and is magical with Liatris, Echinacea and native grasses such as Little Bluestem and Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis). Slim, decorative seed pods, coveted by flower arrangers, later open to release papery seeds on silky parachutes. A favorite of pollinators and other beneficial insects, these well-behaved drought-tolerant milkweeds, essential for the survival of Monarch butterflies, are avoided by deer. They require well-drained soil. Asclepias tuberosa was named Perennial Plant of the Year® by the Perennial Plant Association. Because we cannot guarantee the complete assortment of bloom colors in this seed mix, we offer the plants in multiples of 3 to provide a sampling of the full color range.

Of the 200 species in the genus Asclepias, the best known are North American wildflowers. They have small, curiously shaped blooms that appear in dense clusters. These plants provide nourishment for Monarch butterflies through all their life stages, and are essential for their survival.

For more information on the growing and care of Asclepias tuberosa, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: uh-sklee'pee-us

The genus Asclepias, commonly known as Milkweed, comprises more than 100 species, the best known of which are North American wildflowers. They have small, curiously shaped blooms that appear in clusters and are irresistible to butterflies. Milkweed is the host plant for Monarch butterflies - it is the only food source for Monarch caterpillars, and the butterflies will breed only where Milkweeds are found.

Asclepias tuberosa is native to eastern North America and is commonly referred to as Butterfly Weed. It blooms in June and July and makes a fine addition to a hot-colored border. It Butterfly weed needs well-drained soil and full sun. Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata, grows naturally in moist soil rich in organic matter. It is well-adapted to good garden soil, and can take some shade. Both milkweed species are polite clumping perennials that may modestly self-sow, but will not spread underground.

Plant Asclepias incarnata in moisture-retentive soil, rich in organic matter, in full sun or part shade. Swamp milkweed is a natural in rain gardens, sunny borders and wet meadows.

This perennial milkweed is quite late to emerge from dormancy in spring. Mark the location or leave 6" of stem if you cut back after killing frost, so you don't plant something on top of them.

Cut plants back by 1/3 to 1/2 in early summer to encourage strong bushy growth. More stems mean more flowers. Deadheading early blooms often results in a second flowering about a month later.

This genus, commonly known as Milkweed, consists of many North American native species, and is most notable for attracting butterflies. Their flowers are excellent nectar sources, and the plants are the sole host for the larval stage of the Monarch butterfly. Use Asclepias incarnata in pollinator gardens, pond edges, rain gardens, sunny borders, and wet meadows.

Asclepias tuberosa grows best planted in hot, baking full sun. It requires well-drained, not overly rich soil and will thrive even in nutrient-poor sandy or gravelly soils.

This perennial milkweed is quite late to emerge from dormancy in spring. Mark the location, leave 6" of stem if you cut back after killing frost, or simply leave the plant standing through winter, so you don't plant something on top of them.

Cut plants back by 1/3 to 1/2 in early summer to encourage strong bushy growth. More stems mean more flowers. Deadheading early blooms often results in a second flowering about a month later.

This genus, commonly known as Milkweed, consists of many North American native species, and is most notable for attracting butterflies. Their flowers are excellent nectar sources, and the plants are the sole host for the larval stage of the Monarch butterfly. Use Asclepias tuberosa in pollinator gardens, sunny borders, and meadows.

Shop All Milkweed

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Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].