Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata “Swamp Milkweed”

Price range: $5.00 through $12.00

The Elegant Swamp Milkweed

Standing tall at the edges of ponds, streams, and rain-kissed meadows, Asclepias incarnata, or swamp milkweed, dresses itself in airy clusters of soft rose-pink blooms, each one a delicate star poised above slender, willowy leaves. Its fragrance is light yet sweet, carrying a gentle honeyed note that drifts on summer breezes, inviting butterflies from near and far.

Native to North America, this hardy perennial is a beacon for pollinators — most famously the monarch butterfly, whose caterpillars rely on its leaves as a critical food source during their incredible migration journey. The plant’s deep taproot and preference for moist soils make it especially suited to wetland gardens, rain gardens, or low-lying spots where other flowers might falter.

Beyond its ecological role, A. incarnata offers aesthetic grace: its tall, upright form and midsummer blooms bring structure and color to naturalistic plantings. In the language of conservation gardening, it is both a beauty and a benefactor.

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Description

🌿 Why ‘Swamp Milkweed’ Deserves a Place in the Garden

  • Pollinator magnet — attracts monarchs, swallowtails, bees, and hummingbirds.
  • Native resilience — adapted to North American climates and ecosystems.
  • Season-long interest — blooms midsummer, followed by decorative seed pods.
  • Moisture loving — thrives in rain gardens and near water features.
  • Supports biodiversity — critical larval host for monarch butterflies.

 

🌞 Care Guide for Garden Success

  • Light: Full sun for best bloom; tolerates light shade.
  • Soil: Prefers moist to wet soils; tolerates clay if drainage is steady.
  • Watering: Keep consistently moist, especially in dry spells.
  • Spacing: Plant 18–24 inches apart for good air circulation.
  • Feeding: Generally not needed; overly rich soil can lead to floppy growth.
  • Maintenance: Cut back in late fall or early spring; collect seeds if desired.
  • Wildlife Note: Leaves contain natural toxins that deter herbivores but are harmless to monarch larvae.

 

🦋 A Garden’s Gentle Guardian

To plant Asclepias incarnata is to welcome life — clouds of butterflies, the hum of native bees, and the shimmering presence of summer’s wild heart. In return for a patch of damp soil and full sun, it offers the gift of beauty and the quiet satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped sustain one of nature’s most awe-inspiring migrations.

Additional information

Size

4” Size, 1-Gallon Size

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