You will receive a seed packet containing 1 gram or a minimum of 100 organic Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) seeds. This North American native plant's showy orange flowers are a magnet for pollinators like the monarch butterfly as well as hummingbirds and bees. This is a smaller milkweed, maturing at about 2 feet tall, which makes it an excellent choice for compact beds and borders. It is drought-tolerant, resistant to deer and rabbits, and a great choice for erosion control on slopes. Butterfly weed seeds require 30 days of cold, moist stratification in order to germinate. This can be achieved by sowing the seeds outdoors in their desired location in autumn, or placing seeds in moist sand, peat, or even a damp paper towel and into the refrigerator over the winter. Sow stratified seeds 1/4" deep in an average potting mix (or outdoors) and keep moist. Seedlings should emerge in 3-4 weeks if held at a temperature of 65-75 F. Indoor-sown seedlings should receive ample light. Seedlings may be transplanted to their intended location once they have several true leaves; however, seedlings started indoors should be gradually hardened off for 10-14 days before planting outdoors. Seedlings should flower in their second year. Hardy in zones 3-9.
