Asclepias tuberosa – Radiant orange butterfly paradise in the garden

The Asclepias tuberosa, also known as orange butterfly flower or butterfly plant, is a striking perennial that transforms any garden into a summer riot of color. With its fiery orange flowers, attractive, compact growth, and attractive pollinator appeal, it's an absolute must-have for gardeners who appreciate color, biodiversity, and low-maintenance plants.

This upright perennial is not only a feast for the eyes but also an important nectar source for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, including the famous monarch butterfly. Asclepias tuberosa ornamental value with ecological functionality.

Fiery red to orange flowers from June to September

The Asclepias tuberosa blooms from June to September with bright orange, star-shaped flowers that appear in dense umbels above the narrow, lance-shaped leaves. These flowers give the garden a warm, summery feel and create a striking accent in any border or flowerbed.

At 60 to 90 cm tall, the plant forms a compact, upright habit that's ideal for the background or center of a sunny border. Its profusion of flowers attracts countless pollinators and creates a vibrant, natural garden experience.

Perfect for dry and sunny places

The Asclepias tuberosa is naturally drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny, well-drained soil. This makes it ideal for:

• Dry, sunny borders

• Rock gardens or stony gardens

• Mixed beds with other drought-tolerant perennials

Its deep roots help it survive drought and make it hardy and low-maintenance. Unlike many other butterfly plants, it also tolerates poor, sandy soil very well.

A butterfly magnet for biodiversity

The Asclepias tuberosa is known as a real butterfly magnet. Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, including the monarch butterfly, making the plant an ecologically valuable addition to the garden.

This appeal means it can be perfectly combined with other sunny flowering perennials such as rudbeckia, echinacea, veronica or gaura for a lively, colourful border full of pollinators.

Cultivation and care

The Asclepias tuberosa is easy to care for and relatively resistant to diseases and pests. For optimal growth:

• Location: full sun

• Soil: well-drained, dry to moderately moist, preferably sandy

• Height: 60 – 90 cm

• Flowering period: June – September

• Winter hardy: yes, deep rooting

The plant requires little fertilizer and tolerates poor soil well. Regularly removing spent flowers encourages longer blooms and keeps the plant compact and well-maintained.

Ideal as a cut flower

The Asclepias tuberosa is also excellent as a cut flower. Its sturdy stems and dense umbels provide a long-lasting and eye-catching vase filler.

Like other Asclepias species, it contains a white, milky sap (latex) that is released when the stems are cut. To minimize this, you can place the stems directly in water or briefly sear them. This will prolong the lifespan of the flowers and make them more decorative.

Main characteristics of Asclepias tuberosa

• Orange, star-shaped flowers in dense umbels

• Blooms for a long time from June to September

• Height: 60 – 90 cm

• Drought tolerant and winter hardy

• Ideal for sunny, dry borders and rock gardens

• Attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators

• Low maintenance and reliable

• Location: full sun

A fiery eye-catcher for the summer garden

The Asclepias tuberosa combines vibrant color, pollinator appeal, and low maintenance. Whether planted in a dry border, rock garden, or as a cut flower in a bouquet, this orange butterfly plant is a real eye-catcher.

Its fiery flowers, robust character, and ecological value make Asclepias tuberosa an essential plant for any summer garden. It brings color, life, and movement to the garden while also supporting biodiversity.

An unforgettable summer favourite: the Asclepias tuberosa.