Native Plants

Butterfly Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa
Location

Native to

63129 Change
Type
Annuals/Per.
Attributes
Butterflies, Caterpillars, Fruit, Nectar, Nuts

Other common names for this nectar-rich perennial include Orange Milkweed and Pleurisy Root. It typically grows in clumps up to 1 to 3 feet tall, and features clusters of bright orange to yellow-orange flowers. Though toxic to humans if eaten in large amounts, its blooms are attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds, and like all milkweeds, it serves as a host plant for butterfly species including the Monarch. Drought tolerant, this plant grows in full sun and in dry to moist, well-drained, sandy soils.

May Attract

Butterfly Milkweed is thought to attract these families of birds
Family
Cardinals, Grosbeaks and Buntings
Family
Chickadees and Titmice
Family
Crows, Magpies, Jays
Family
Finches
Family
Hummingbirds
Family
Mockingbirds and Thrashers
Family
Nuthatches
Family
Blackbirds and Orioles
Family
New World Sparrows
Family
Thrushes
Family
Vireos
Family
Waxwings
Family
Wood Warblers
Family
Woodpeckers
Family
Wrens

Audubon Centers, State Offices & Chapters

These Audubon locations near you offer native plant services

In some parts of the country you may not have a "local" Audubon that is able to provide help with native plants for birds, but we will still show you the closest Audubon that can help.

Audubon Center at Riverlands

301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386

(636) 899-0090

Services

  • Education programs & presentations
  • Habitat installation/restoration projects
  • Native plant sales

Audubon Upper Mississippi River

2355 HIGHWAY 36 WEST, ROSEVILLE, MN 55113

651-739-9332 |

audubonumr@audubon.org

Services

  • Habitat installation/restoration projects

Local & Regional Resources

Local and regional native plant societies, databases, and other resources may have expertise on exactly what plants are best for your particular area and climate.

Wild Ones - St. Louis Chapter

2833 Manderly Drive, St. Louis, MO 63144

Local Nurseries

Find local nurseries and garden centers near you. It's a good idea to call ahead to verify native plant availability and learn what services they offer.

Sugar Creek Gardens

1011 N. Woodlawn, Kirkwood, MO 63122

(314) 965-3070

Greenscape Gardens

2832 Barrett Station Road, Manchester, MO 63021

(314) 821-2440

Online Nurseries

Shop trusted online vendors for your home or wholesale project. Many offer shipping across regions, so check availability and delivery timelines before ordering.

Hamilton Native Outpost

16786 Brown Road, Elk Creek, MO 65464

(417) 967-2190

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

9814 Pleasant Hill Road, Jefferson City, MO 65109

(573) 496-3492

My Saved Plants: 0

More native plants for your area

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Alternate-Leaf Dogwood

SHRUBS / TREES

Alternate-Leaf Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

Thrushes
Nuthatches
Cardinals & Grosbeaks
+10

May attract

Thrushes
Nuthatches
Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Crows & Jays
Wrens

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

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American Basswood

TREES

American Basswood

Tilia americana

Thrushes
Wrens
Nuthatches
+11

May attract

Thrushes
Wrens
Nuthatches
Crows & Jays
Cardinals & Grosbeaks

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

Fruit

Nuts

 
American Beech

TREES

American Beech

Fagus grandifolia

Finches
Wood Warblers
Cardinals & Grosbeaks
+11

May attract

Finches
Wood Warblers
Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Chickadees & Titmice
Nuthatches

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

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Nuts

Local resources
Your local Audubon offering native plant services is Audubon Center at Riverlands.
301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386
(636) 899-0090 |
 
American Elm

TREES

American Elm

Ulmus americana

Waxwings
Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Chickadees & Titmice
+11

May attract

Waxwings
Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Chickadees & Titmice
Vireos
Wrens

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

Fruit

Nuts

 
American Hazelnut

SHRUBS

American Hazelnut

Corylus americana

Sparrows
Thrushes
Vireos
+11

May attract

Sparrows
Thrushes
Vireos
Crows & Jays
Orioles

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

Fruit

Nuts

 
American Holly

EVERGREEN / SHRUBS / TREES

American Holly

Ilex opaca

Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Woodpeckers
+10

May attract

Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Woodpeckers
Orioles
Chickadees & Titmice

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

Fruit

 
American Hornbeam

TREES

American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

Woodpeckers
Thrushes
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
+11

May attract

Woodpeckers
Thrushes
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Chickadees & Titmice
Orioles

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

Fruit

Nuts

 
American Plum

SHRUBS / TREES

American Plum

Prunus americana

Wood Warblers
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Wrens
+10

May attract

Wood Warblers
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Wrens
Orioles
Cardinals & Grosbeaks

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

Fruit

 
American Pokeweed

ANNUALS/PER.

American Pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Thrushes
+7

May attract

Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Thrushes
Crows & Jays
Waxwings

Provides

Fruit

Nuts

 
American Sycamore

TREES

American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Vireos
Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Woodpeckers
+11

May attract

Vireos
Cardinals & Grosbeaks
Woodpeckers
Wrens
Wood Warblers

Provides

Butterflies

Caterpillars

Fruit

Nuts

My Saved Plants: 0

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Native Plants
Native plants help support our birds throughout the year.
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Ruby-throated Hummingbird at a butterflyweed. Photo: Dave Maslowski
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