Native wildflowers are adapted to our soil and weather conditions. Many are relatively easy to grow. The following are just a few of the prairie wildflowers that perform well in the home landscape. Plants grow 2 to 3 feet tall and produce flat-topped clusters of bright orange flowers from July through September. Their flowers attract several butterfly species, hence the common name.
Butterfly weed is easy to grow.
It performs best in full sun and tolerates drought and infertile soils. Because of its rather long taproot, transplanting the butterfly weed can be difficult. Carefully choose a site and don't disturb it. Also, the butterfly weed emerges slowly in the spring. To prevent possible injury, mark the planting site and don't cultivate in the area until the plant emerges.