Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

LIMIT 3 PER CUSTOMER PLEASE

Description:   Perennial milkweed to 3+ ft with umbels of pink-toned milkweed flowers. Frequented by butterflies and many other insects.

Natural Habitat: Moist to wet habitats: moist ground, watersides, ditches, swamps, etc.

Planting and Care:  Water daily for several weeks; keep ground from drying out.  It does not need standing water or even boggy soil and will do well if ground is kept moist. Flowers best in sunny areas. Stems often die back, and re-sprout from near the ground (this is normal).

Pros:  A strong insect-attracter. Moderate-rapid growth  Beautiful flower clusters. Host for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier butterflies. Can be used in and around water features as well as normal ground as long as drying out is avoided.

Cons:  Periodic die-back. Requires moist ground. Monarch caterpillars can defoliate even large plants; these can be controlled by spraying with Bacillus thuringiensis ("thuricide", or "Bt"), which targets butterfly and moth caterpillars that eat the leaves, but is not toxic to adult butterflies, other wildlife, or people (plants sold from the DCFNPS online store are not routinely pre-treated with Bt).

IF "SOLD OUT", PLEASE CHECK BACK IN 2-3 DAYS, as more will be available through November 2025. 

Photo by Mary Keim