This butterfly weed, Asclepias curassavica, is also known as blood flower. Cathy recently bought a few plants in both orange (this one) and all yellow. Sadly, it is not hardy enough for in-ground planting as a perennial here, but it should do well in containers and brighten up the back patio. This one is in a container right outside our kitchen door and looks great against the green backdrop of Rudbekia growing around the patio. I especially like the bi-color nature of this one, although the all-yellow variety is nice, too.
Tagged With: Blood Flower
Asclepias curassavica Orange
Categories: Flowers and Plants
Tags: Asclepias, Asclepias curassavica, Blood Flower, Bloom, Blooms, Butterfly Weed, Herbaceous Perennial, Orange, Perennial, Tender Perennial
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Asclepias curassavica ‘Silky Red’
One of the plants Cathy bought on our annual Mother’s Day trip to the nursery (a week early this year) was this blood flower, Asclepias curassavica ‘Silky Red’. As you can see, the colors are pretty intense. This species of butterfly weed is native to the Caribbean and Central and South America and is only winter hardy to USDA zones 9 to 11, so we grow it as an annual here but it’s worth it. The butterflies and other insects love it and even without that, it’s just a beautiful flower. If you have a very bright indoor location (or a heated greenhouse!) then you could bring it in for the winter, but we just start new each year.
Categories: Flowers and Plants
Tags: Asclepias, Asclepias curassavica, Blood Flower, Herbaceous Perennial, Non-Native Plant, Red, Silky Red, Tender Perennial
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