Lawn & Garden

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

With bold orange flowers and whimsical seed pods, butterfly weed fuels monarchs, feeds pollinators, and thrives in sunny gardens with little fuss. Butterfly weed is a member of the genus commonly called milkweeds. This plant blooms from May through September. In addition to their attractive blooms, the plant’s seed pods are also attractive when they split open to reveal silky parachutes that float the seeds throughout the landscape.

Jason Somerville, Extension Agent, Home Horticulture, Auburn University

New August 2026, Pollinator Plant of the Month, ANR-3245