{"product_id":"butterfly-weed","title":"Butterfly Weed","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Classic Native Milkweed for Monarchs\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eButterfly Weed (\u003cem\u003eAsclepias tuberosa\u003c\/em\u003e) is the beloved orange-flowered prairie milkweed native to Minnesota, crowned with brilliant clusters of vivid orange flowers all summer. It's one of the most important plants you can grow for monarchs, serving as both a caterpillar host and a rich nectar source for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Tough, long-lived, and deeply drought tolerant once its taproot is set, it belongs in every sunny, well-drained Minnesota garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsclepias tuberosa\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.5–2 ft tall and wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 3–9 (fully hardy across Minnesota)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSummer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVivid orange\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLean, well-drained; dislikes wet or rich soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUse Butterfly Weed in pollinator and native gardens, prairie plantings, sunny borders, and rock gardens. It's a cornerstone of monarch waystations and pairs beautifully with coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, and little bluestem.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring or early summer so the taproot can establish. It emerges late in spring, so be patient and mark its spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, and water in. Avoid heavy amendments; it prefers lean, well-drained soil, and resents being moved once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply once a week to establish the taproot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter Year One:\u003c\/strong\u003e Little to no supplemental water needed. It's highly drought tolerant and dislikes soggy soil.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrip Irrigation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally unnecessary once established; avoid overwatering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a monarch host plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. As a true milkweed it feeds monarch caterpillars and provides nectar for adult butterflies and bees.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is it slow to emerge in spring?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eButterfly weed naturally breaks dormancy late, so don't assume it's lost if it's slow to appear.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a Minnesota native?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it's a native prairie wildflower, hardy to Zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, deer avoid milkweeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePair Butterfly Weed with coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, and prairie grasses for a sunny, monarch-friendly native planting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315416944945,"sku":null,"price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/butterfly-weed.jpg?v=1779864868","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/butterfly-weed","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}