Blanket Flower is one of the easiest perennial wildflowers to establish. Blooms provide nectar for many butterflies and native bees. 'Arizona Sun' has large, 3 to 4 in. wide, fiery orange red blossoms with yellow-tipped petals and is very drought and salt tolerant.

The leaves, blossoms, and seed pods are eaten by the Monarch butterfly. The blossoms are a host nectaring plant to all butterflies. The glycosides in the latex of native Butterfly Weed are not as toxic as other native milkweed species.

Tropical milkweed is grown in Maine as an annual and the leaves and blossoms provide food for late season Monarch caterpillars. It is non-native, and therefore not an ideal choice for growing in Maine butterfly gardens, but works well in a pot or planter on a deck if there is no space for a garden.