With winter nearly upon us I am already looking forward to the days of spring and what new flowers I can introduce into my garden. I decided that I would like to add a few plants that will attract butterflies and came across Butterfly Milkweed as one of the largest attractors of several species of butterflies.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), is a perennial plant that grows from 10 in. to 3 ft. tall and can have orange or yellow flowers Which appear in clusters on the plant and bloom July through August. Butterflies are attracted to them for the nectar the flowers produce and use it as a larval food. Species of butterflies that are attracted to it, are the Queen and Monarch as well as bees and hummingbirds, so I can have a full wildlife show as well as some beautiful flowers. Commonly found in areas with dryer soil, Butterfly Milkweed produces many more flowers than its close resembling friend the Lanceolate Milkweed. Butterfly Milkweed also doesn't have a milky sap as opposed to other species of Milkweed. Butterfly Milkweed has other common names such as Indian Paintbrush, Yellow Milkweed, Canada Root and Butterfly Love. It is easily propagated in water and so easily shared with friends who would also like to enjoy butterflies in their garden.