If you want to bring the vibrant colors of a summer sunset and a flurry of wings to your landscape, Butterfly Weed is the undisputed champion. This award-winning native perennial is famous for its flat-topped clusters of brilliant, neon-orange flowers that practically glow in the garden. Unlike other milkweeds, Butterfly Weed is compact and well-behaved, making it a perfect fit for both formal flower beds and wilder meadow designs.
One of its best features for the home gardener is its extreme durability. Because it develops a deep, sturdy taproot, it is incredibly drought-tolerant once established and thrives in the kind of poor, sandy soil where other plants might struggle. It is a true "plant it and forget it" beauty that rewards you with weeks of intense color from mid-to-late summer.
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Water Needs Low to Medium; very drought-tolerant
Soil Type Well-drained Sand or Loam soil
Mature Height 1.5 - 2 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time June – August
Bloom Color Orange
Plant Spacing 1 to 3 feet
Vivid Blooms: The intense orange hue is rare in the native plant world and provides a high-contrast focal point.
Low Maintenance: Highly resistant to pests and diseases; it actually prefers "neglect" over heavy fertilizing or overwatering.
Late Emerger: Don't worry if you don't see it in early spring! It is one of the last perennials to wake up, usually waiting until the soil is truly warm.
Monarch Host Plant: As a member of the milkweed family, it is an essential host plant where Monarch butterflies lay their eggs and their caterpillars feed.
Pollinator Magnet: Its nectar is highly accessible, attracting a massive variety of butterflies, native bees, and even hummingbirds.
Pro Tip: Because of its long taproot, Butterfly Weed does not like to be moved once it is planted. Choose its "forever home" carefully! To get the best blooms, plant it in your sunniest, driest spot and avoid heavy mulching right against the crown, as it loves to stay dry and warm.