Swamp Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias Incarnata) is a perennial wildflower with a vanilla scent that hosts butterflies, moths and pollinators and requires little care once established to enjoy the intensely hued rose magenta flowers that bloom from June to October. With heights up to 5 feet, this is hardy plant can tolerate full to partial sun, mucky clay soil and flooding. You will receive a small plant with established roots and several sets of leaves which is ready to plant in your chosen area. This plant is native to the majority of the eastern US and Canada.
CONDITIONS
Asclepsias Incarnata thrive in wet soil that is acidic to neutral PH. Requires full to partial sun of at least hours per day. Swamp Milkweed can thrive in clay soils as well as loamy soils with good drainage and high organic matter. They should be placed 2-3 feet apart and given partial to full sun. You can’t overwater these swamp plants, so they are good for beginners! Make sure to water in dry months. Good for Septic fields ;)
BENEFITS
The native Swamp Milkweed is a larval host to migrating Monarch Butterflies, unlike nonnative tropical milkweeds which can disrupt monarch migrations by confusing them into breeding during a time they should be migrating . A. Incarnata is a host to many butterflies and pollinators and is deer resistant and a favorite of hummingbirds. To encourage monarchs, plant at least 5 plants together.
Mature plants self-seed readily, so these can spread and give you more beauty to your buck. but the seedlings take up to three years to establish in the landscape. Avoid self-seeding by removing seedpods before they dry and split if you don’t want it to spread.
CARE
Once a location is found, dig a large hole and mix some potting soil into the area around the planting to help roots develop. Plant in areas with most possible sun exposure. Water heavily when first placed into ground and for the next week. Once the taproot develops, try not to transplant your milkweed. Make sure it is planted in an area not crowded out by taller plants. May bloom in first year or take up to 3 years. Keep soil moist.
This plant pairs well with Swamp Vervain, Ironweed, Swamp Rose and Wingstem