Do not treat this perennial as a “weed” in the garden! It beckons the monarch butterflies to flit and flutter around the deep orange, red and yellow flowers to lay their eggs. Their eggs morph from caterpillars into graceful, delicate monarchs to once again brighten the warm season landscape.
Mid-summer to fall
Full sun
Water thrifty once established, but water seedlings and new plants regularly to keep soil moist
Deadhead first set of blossoms to extend the bloom cycle and allow seedpods to remain for more seeds to sow
Hardy in zones 4 to 9
Sow seeds or plant from containers in early spring after the last day of frost; takes 2 to 3 years to grow from seed to mature, flower producing plant
Best in well-draining soil, but also does well in poor, dry soil
18-30 in. x 10-30 in.
