Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly Weed Plug
Bold Orange Blooms | Essential Native for Monarchs & Sunny Spots
Make your garden a haven for pollinators with Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a standout native perennial known for its vivid orange flower clusters and strong support for monarch butterflies. This 2” x 5” planting plug grows into a drought-tolerant, medium-height plant that brings color, structure, and ecological value to any sunny space.
🌿 At a Glance:
- Bloom Time: June–August
- Height at Maturity: 1–3 feet
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil Moisture: Dry to medium (well-drained)
- Pollinator Magnet: Critical host for monarch caterpillars and loved by bees and butterflies
🛠️ Planting Notes:
- Requires well-drained soil; thrives in sandy or rocky sites
- Very drought-tolerant once established
- Best planted in spring or fall; allow 1–2 seasons for full flowering from plug size
- Taprooted—avoid transplanting after it’s settled
Butterfly Weed is a showstopper in native borders, pollinator gardens, and tough, sunny spots—beautiful, beneficial, and built for resilience.
✨ Plant it for the monarchs. Enjoy it for the brilliance.
Ordering & Pickup Information
You can pre-order this plant online or purchase it in person during the Roberts PTO Native Plant Sale.
Online orders will be available for pickup at any of the following sale events:
- Thursday, May 30 – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
- Friday, May 31 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Saturday, June 1 – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Pickup will take place at Roberts Elementary.
🌿 Native Plant Plugs – Affordable, Resilient, and Ready to Grow
2” wide x 5” deep plugs
Bring your landscape to life with native plants grown from seed in deep-rooted plugs. These young perennials may be small now, but they’re packed with potential—designed to establish quickly, support pollinators, and thrive in your local conditions.
🌱 Why Choose Plugs?
If you’re used to picking up gallon-size nursery pots, plugs may feel small—but here’s why they’re a smart investment:
- Stronger roots, less stress: Our deep 5″ plugs grow roots down, not around, so they take off fast when planted.
- Budget-friendly: Ideal for covering large areas or starting a garden on a budget.
- Locally adapted: These native plants are grown from seed and hardened off outdoors, so they’re ready to handle your climate.
⏳ What to Expect
Patience pays off! These are first-year perennials, so most will focus on root growth in year one, with blooming and full performance by year two or three—depending on the species and growing conditions.
You may see a few flowers in the first season, but the real show starts next year. Think of this as an investment in a long-lasting, low-maintenance landscape.
🛠️ Planting & Care
- Prepare the soil: Remove weeds and loosen soil before planting.
- Plant deep: Bury the full plug so the crown is level with the soil.
- Water well: Keep moist for the first few weeks to help roots establish.
- Mulch lightly: Great for moisture retention and weed suppression—just keep mulch off the stem.
🌼 Designed for Pollinators. Built to Last.
Whether you’re starting a meadow, filling a border, or restoring habitat, native plugs are the best way to build beauty that supports bees, butterflies, and birds—from the ground up.
