Asclepias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed, Quart pot

Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata,

FS - PS, Hardy to Zone 3, blooms June - August, 4’ x 2’, wet to medium soil conditions, deer resistant.

Swamp Milkweed is a perfect plant for a rain garden or fairly moist conditions. We planted a few of them in our native gardens, which are usually not that wet, but they prospered. Best not to plant in conditions that are too dry. Last year we started most of them from plugs, and as you can see from the pictures, these first-year plants grew beautifully.

A wide variety of pollinators visit for the nectar. Due to a unique adaptation, Asclepias also develops pollen into sacs which self-pollinate the plant as well. This species of milkweed is extremely sought after by hosts of different species of insects, including the beautiful (and harmless) Great Black and Great Golden Digger Wasps. The blooms have a clear vanilla scent. These large wasps have proven to be the best pollinators for the sticky pollen that milkweed species produces.

Swamp Milkweed is a popular Monarch butterfly host plant. It also attracts bees, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, Clearwing Hummingbird moths and butterflies, including Red Admirals, Pearl Crescents, Sulfurs, Skippers, Fritillaries and Swallowtails.