{"product_id":"gay-butterflies-milkweed","title":"Gay Butterflies Milkweed","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Native Milkweed in a Mix of Fiery Colors\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eGay Butterflies Milkweed (\u003cem\u003eAsclepias tuberosa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Gay Butterflies') is a colorful seed strain of our native butterfly weed, producing flat-topped clusters in a lively blend of orange, red, and golden-yellow across a planting. As a true milkweed it's both a monarch caterpillar host and a nectar magnet for butterflies and bees, and its deep taproot makes it tough as nails through heat and drought. A pollinator cornerstone for sunny, well-drained beds in Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Eagan.\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\n\u003cem\u003eAsclepias tuberosa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Gay Butterflies'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.5–2.5 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\u003eMix of orange, red, and yellow\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 Gay Butterflies in pollinator and native gardens, prairie plantings, sunny borders, and rock gardens. The color mix is striking massed, and it's a cornerstone of any monarch waystation alongside coneflowers and prairie grasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring or early summer so the taproot can establish. Butterfly weed 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. Do not move it 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\u003eWill all the plants be the same color?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, this is a seed strain, so colors vary from orange to red to yellow across plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it hardy in Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it's a Zone 3 native, fully hardy statewide.\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 Gay Butterflies with yellow and orange butterfly weed, coneflowers, and prairie grasses for a monarch-friendly native planting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315417141553,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/gay-butterflies-milkweed.jpg?v=1779864864","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/gay-butterflies-milkweed","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}