Butterfly Weed Asclepias curassavica
Introduction
Butterfly weed is a member of the milkweed family native to Florida,
and by some reports, the only Asclepias that does consistently
well in south Florida. The plant can be grown as an annual flower
or as a perennial. The plants grow to two- to four-feet-tall
and flower from spring until fall. The flower colors are red
and orange borne in clusters at the top of the plant. Butterflies
can usually be seen flying around the plant and visiting the
flowers.
General Information
Scientific name: Asclepias curassavica
Pronunciation: ass-KLEE-pee-us kur-uh-SAV-ick-uh
Common name(s): Butterfly-Weed, Milkweed, Silkweed
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Plant type: herbaceous; annual
USDA hardiness zones: 4 through 10
Planting month for zone 7: Jun; Jul
Planting month for zone 8: May; Jun; Jul; Aug
Planting month for zone 9: Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul;
Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec
Origin: not native to North America
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Uses: naturalizing; cut flowers; attracts butterflies; mass
Spread: 1 to 2 feet planting
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region
to find the plant
Description
Plant habit: round; upright
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: oblong
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: not applicable
Fall characteristic: not applicable
Flower
Flower color: red; yellow
Flower characteristic: summer flowering; spring flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit cover: unknown
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: thick
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and
could be planted more
Invasive potential: may self-seed each year
Pest resistance: very sensitive to one or more pests or diseases
which can affect plant health or aesthetics
Use and Management
As plants age and become somewhat woody near the base of the plant,
cut them back to stimulate new growth near the bottom. This will
help them look good for many years. The best sites have exposure
to sun or partial shade and almost any soil. Butterfly weed is
slow to start growth in the spring. Mark its location in hardiness
zones 8 and parts of 9 before the plant disappears in the winter
to prevent damage to easily injured dormant crowns. A deep root
(taproot) reportedly makes transplanting difficult. Once established
do not disturb butterfly weed unnecessarily. Occasional fertilization
can help keep flowers coming nearly all year long. Aphids may
infest Butterfly Weed.
Pests and Diseases
Leaf spot diseases are seen but not serious. Rusts cause the formation
of reddish colored spots. Cucumber mosaic virus causes leaf mottling
but no chemical control is available.
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