15-18" tall x 15-18" wide. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, and an attractive nectar plant for many varieties of butterflies. This selection is best for dry, sandy, and well-draining soils. For clay soils, see our Butterfly Weed (Clay Form) selection. As a long-lived, tap-rooted plant, Butterfly Weed will establish its deep roots and reach mature size over a couple of seasons, and it will naturalize with time. Deep tap roots prefer not to be transplanted. Butterfly Weed is slow to wake up in the spring, but worth the wait for the bright orange flowers in summer! To achieve a bushy look, pinch back young stems. Unlike other milkweeds, Butterfly Weed does not possess the milky sap that can irritate skin and eyes. Stalks and pods provide interest in the winter garden. Perennial Plant Association Plant of The Year 2017. Asclepias tuberosa Native Range: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV.