The drought has not deterred Butterfly Weed from showing off its bright orange blooms this month! If you want to see it in our sites, check it out at the entrance of Adelaide Bentley Park in Towson or edging the rain garden at Carroll Watkins Park in Gwynn Oak.

Common name: Butterfly weed

Latin name: Asclepias tuberosa

Wildlife benefit: Larval host plant for monarch, gray hairstreak, queen and milkweed tussock moth caterpillars. Nectar source for many butterflies and insect pollinators. 

Description: This smaller member of the milkweed family can take a little while to become established and bloom in full force, but it is easy to grow and its flowers are eye-catching. Butterfly Weed prefers well-drained soil and full sun, though it does well in poor soil. It will grow to about 2 feet high and become thicker each year. It does not transplant or divide well due to its long taproot.