Gay Butterflies Milkweed brings a burst of warm, citrusy color to pollinator gardens with its distinctive blend of Meyer lemon, tangerine, and orange blooms. This heirloom cultivar of Asclepias tuberosa grows 24 to 28 inches tall and thrives in hardiness zones 3 through 9, making it hardy enough for northern gardens yet heat-tolerant for southern landscapes. The fragrant flowers bloom from mid to late summer and attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and beneficial insects with irresistible appeal. Hardy to frost and requiring minimal water once established, this plant transforms any garden into a pollinator sanctuary while needing little fuss.
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Low
3-9
36in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The flowers arrive in a fiery, citrusy palette that looks almost hand-painted across the foliage, with each bloom practically glowing in shades reminiscent of Meyer lemon, tangerine, and pure orange. Butterflies and hummingbirds converge on the plants throughout mid to late summer, creating constant movement and color that feels alive. Low water needs and frost hardiness mean this heirloom thrives across most of North America with minimal coddling, and it serves as a critical host plant for monarch butterflies, giving gardeners a way to actively support pollinator life cycles.
This plant is grown primarily as a pollinator magnet in native plant gardens, wildflower meadows, and landscapes designed to support butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial insects. The fragrant flowers provide nectar and pollen throughout the blooming season, while the foliage sustains monarch caterpillars, making it essential for anyone committed to monarch conservation.
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Start seeds indoors in a warm location between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow seeds 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost to give seedlings time to develop strong root systems before transplanting outdoors.
Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before transplanting. Move plants outside after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space transplants 2 inches apart in full sun and well-draining soil with a pH between 4.5 and 7.5.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost into prepared, well-draining soil. Press seeds lightly into soil and keep consistently moist until germination, which occurs between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
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