The 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year is Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Add this plant to your pollinator friendly garden. The flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and the leaves are a food source for the monarch butterfly caterpillars too. Butterfly weed does best in full sun and can tolerate dry soils. Once established it is very drought tolerant. There are no notable disease or pest problems and the deer tend to leave it along too.
Butterfly weed attracts butterflies like crazy and also makes a great long lasting cut flower. Cut when the buds are at least half open since they won’t open once cut. Deadhead to prevent reseeding if desired and to promote additional blooms.
