Today I'm back on my "bud to seed" kick. The subject this time is Asclepias tuberosa, more commonly known as Butterfly weed. I don't know where the "weed" part of it's name derived ~ it's anything but "weedy" when in bloom? I ordered my specimen three years ago from High Country Gardens as an additional pollinator attractor (say that three times!). It was listed in their catalog as a native wildflower for clay soil. Perfect.
The orange hued buds barely hint at the vibrancy of the blooms when the whole cluster is fully open:
My Asclepias is very late to emerge in spring and has also been a slow grower. Finally, in it's third summer, it established itself enough to make a noticeable impact on my garden. The orange blooms are tempting to both hummingbirds and butterflies, although only the latter visit it in my garden(hummingbirds don't arrive until after it's done blooming). I have never had any caterpillars munching thru the foliage (as I've seen on other blogs), but I hope that happens at some point in the future. Meanwhile, in the last month, it has been busy setting seed pods:
Paired on one side with Veronica speedwell and on the other with purple 'Magic Fountain' delphiniums, the purple/orange color combinations are extremely eye catching. I can think of many other purples that would look equally attractive (Saliva's, Lavenders, Nepetas, Penstemons, etc.) Now the question is, should I let the seed go, collect it or cut off the pods??
What a great plant that has multiple interest in the garden. First the buds are so lovely with their red pin stripes, the vibrant orange blossoms & then the interesting seed heads that follow. The benefit of attracting butterflies & hummingbirds is icing on the cake!
Posted by: Racquel | October 07, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I've never collected the seeds, but I think you should. I know the plant itself can be "touchy" about growing in new surroundings. I think Butterfly Weed is short for Butterfly Milkweed... a relative of the common milkweed you find in ditches. These are the host food (food source) of the caterpillars that turn into Monarchs. It makes them taste bad, so birds avoid them... at least, especially if they've tried it once! ha. :-) I love this plant!
Posted by: Shady Gardener | October 07, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Kathleen, i finally got this to start in my garden this year. After buying 2 separate times last year and having them both die, I planted seed indoor this spring and got several to grow. I grew them in those little peat pots and planted the whole thing in the ground. Only one bloomed this year and that one attracted caterpillars. The others are growing still and I am hopling for more blooms next year. I would do some of each-collect a few seed, and let the rest reseed itself. Hopefully next year the Monarchs will find yours.
Posted by: Beckie | October 07, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Since monarchs are getting threatened due to loss of milkweed, I collect my asclepias pods, drive down the semi-rural roads, and toss it out the window. Maybe one or two will grow and help a dozen or two monarch cats!
Posted by: Benjamin | October 07, 2008 at 06:32 PM
I love this plant! It is so very interesting and the flowers just look exotic and tropical. While at Blithewold in RI...I saw a member of this family from Africa I think but with very similar flowers...almost waxy looking! It's been in my garden for years but I have never seen a Monarch Butterfly visit it.
Gail
Posted by: Gail | October 07, 2008 at 08:12 PM
beautiful - I love the photo with the sun behind the leaves...gorgeous!
Posted by: Alice | October 08, 2008 at 11:56 AM
It is definitely a great plant Racquel. I'm so glad it's finally established enough to be making a presence in my garden.
Posted by: Kathleen | October 08, 2008 at 08:25 PM
I've seen posts on other blogs about their asclepias having Monarch caterpillars Shady Gardener. I hope that will happen in my garden someday too. We have lots of the common milkweed around the local ponds and lakes in this area. Maybe they prefer those to mine?!! I love this perennial too.
Posted by: Kathleen | October 08, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Wow, I'm jealous Beckie. That's great the caterpillars found yours so fast. Mine didn't bloom much the first or second year either. This year was great tho. I'll hope the Monarchs find it next year too.
Posted by: Kathleen | October 08, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Great idea Benjamin! I think I'll actually take you up on that one. I live off some of those semi rural roads so it will be easy for me to do and better than composting. Thanks for the comment.
Posted by: Kathleen | October 08, 2008 at 08:32 PM
That's a great description Gail ~ waxy ~ they do look waxy. Now I'm not sure whether to feel better or worse since the butterflies are not visiting it in your garden. I saw Painted Ladies on mine this year but not Monarchs. Of course, I didn't see nearly as many butterflies as normal either. :-(
Posted by: Kathleen | October 08, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Thank you Alice!! Do you have this in your garden?
Posted by: Kathleen | October 08, 2008 at 08:34 PM