Butterfly weeds or milkweed are known to be a low maintenance as home gardeners are now showing more interest when it comes in planting native plants in the landscape. This could be good news as native plants are believed to be tolerant when it comes to local environment conditions. One of the problems that gardeners faced is the fact that they have a limited way to play and get creative on their landscape.

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The butterfly weed is considered to be the stereotype, a native plant that was successfully chosen as a Mississippi Medallion winner in 2012. It is an award given to plants that are known for their superior and outstanding garden and landscape performance.

In a recent event held in California, growers showed off their plants that will come out in garden centers in 2016. At the said event, there were interesting butterfly weeds display which is in purple and variegated foliage and they are the colors to look forward.

Milkweed attracts a lot of butterflies and also known as deer resistant. The plants are usually seen along the highway during late summer with their deep-orange flower that stands out on cut embankments which are testament to the plant’s low maintenance requirements.

The weed grew up to three feet tall and two feet wide and has an upright clumping growth habit. The tubular flower does have different shades of orange while some are shaded in yellow and red.

During late summer, the butterfly weed lives up to its name and become a butterfly magnet and also a primary food source for any Monarch caterpillars.

A butterfly weed usually blooms all summer long, better consider the tropical milkweed that are shown at many garden centers. Although the downside of this species is that it is a host to a protozoan parasite that can really hurt butterflies.

TagsNative Butterfly Makes a Good Garden Choice, native butterfly, Butterfly weeds, milkweed, butterfly, Monarch caterpillars, garden, butterflies