Common name: butterfly weed

Family name: Apocynaceae

Description: Bright orange flowers are held in clusters atop long stems with decussately arranged, lanceolate, medium green leaves.

Flower: Numerous, small, orange flowers are held in umbels atop long, thick stems. These flowers bloom for three months throughout the summer.

Foliage: Leaves are decussate, green, lanceolate with entire margins.

Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil; low water requirements, drought tolerant.

Height and spread: 0.6m by 0.6m

Limitations: The latex in the sap has poisonous compounds, so it shouldn’t be used in areas where there are many children on a regular basis. The bright orange colour of the flower may make it difficult to work into certain planting design schemes.

Landscape uses: Attracts beneficial insects and birds such as humming birds, bees, and Monarch butterflies (but those are rare in Vancouver). Has attractive seed heads, so there is seasonal interest in the fall as well as attractive blooms in the summer.