butterfly plant

[chessie]

I just bought 2 butterfly plants ( asclepias) at walmart the other day. I had my eyes out for them last year but didn't see any. I had seen then there a few weeks ago and thought it was too early to start buying flowers. I was afraid I would not get any if I waited sooooo. They came packages like you see claimants, in a tightly closed plastic bag inside a box. Now I'm wondering how I should care for them till spring. They are a spring/early summer bloomer. There is absolute nothing about planting on the box. I thought maybe I should put them in a pot and care for them in the house till it is time to plant them outside.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Personally, I wouldn't have bought them from Walmart, but since you have them, I think you might have the best luck potting them up until it's warm enough to put them out. Since they sometimes take a while to get started in the spring, this may give them a head start. Don't overwater them, keep them on the slightly dry side, and do not feed them until they put on a good amount of growth. Butterfly weed doesn't like transplanting very much, so when it comes time to put it outside, try not to disturb the root ball much, handle gently.
If you got Asclepias tuberosa (the one most commonly referred to as butterfly weed), it blooms midsummer to early autumn in Zones 4-9. I don't know any that bloom in the spring. Which sort do you have?

 

[chessie]

I am pretty sure it is Asclepias tuberosa just by the picture that is on the box. It just said Asclepias. I thought they were summer/fall bloomers but the box said spring/early summer. I was afraid I might miss their blooming period if I waited to late to put them out. I think I am pretty well set for perennials in my butterfly garden. This will be it's third year. All I need to add is the normal annuals. I'm hoping for something really spectacular.