Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
ah-SKLEE-pee-us incarnata
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Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-forming in the Apocynaceae Family
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Available May 9
Size |
Notes |
Price |
Availability |
#1 gallon |
Field
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$13.68 |
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38 Flat |
Field
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$84.23 |
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Experience the beauty of Asclepias incarnata, blooming with stunning flowers in late summer that release a subtle vanilla scent. This butterfly magnet is a favorite for Monarch larvae, making it a must-have for any pollinator-friendly garden! |
About Swamp Milkweed
Don’t let the undesirable common name “Swamp Milkweed” fool you - these are beautiful, useful plants that gently smell like vanilla (mmm) and feed valuable pollinators with their sweet nectar.
These plants can be invasive without natural competition, so makes a great choice for a wild pollinator garden or a meadow planting.
Swamp Milkweed gained its unfortunate nickname for liking wet feet… very wet feet. This plant would be happy in standing water for days on end!
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Pros
- Happy in very wet conditions
- Pollinator favorite
- Loves full sun to partial shade
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Cons
- Can be invasive in a more “formal” garden
- Not drought-tolerant (would need regular watering during hot periods)
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Plant Data |
Mature Size |
3 - 4 feet
tall. 24 - 36 inches
wide.
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Growth Rate |
Moderate |
Sun Exposure |
Partial Shade - Full Sun |
Moisture Tolerance |
Medium - Wet |
Zones |
3a - 9b
(Usually hardy to -40° F)
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Tags |
Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Fragrant, Fragrant Flowers, Full Sun, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Good for Rock Garden, Good for Rocky Soil, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Naturalizing, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Pond, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Thrillers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Shallow Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
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Bloom Period |
July - August
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Flower Color |
White or Pink or Mauve
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Foliage Color |
Green
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Animals That Use It |
Nectar:
Seeds:
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Most Popular Plants |
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Rankings |
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Related Articles |
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More Info from Experts |
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Commonly Planted with...
Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), coneflower (Echinacea), Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia), bergamot (Monarda), goldenrod (Solidago), ironweed (Vernonia), and various asters
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