Virginia ecotype
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Upright, clumpingSize: 2-5 ft. high, half as wide
Flowering time: Jun, Jul, Aug
Bloom color: Red, pink, rose
Habitat: Wet meadows, prairies and fields; swamps and marshesMoisture: Moist to wet, boggy or well draining
Light: Full sun, part sunSoils: Clay, sand, loam, gravel
Uses: Pollinator gardens, rain gardens, lake/pond or riparian areas
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)
Swamp milkweed is a perennial native to North America, found in wet meadows, marshes, and along ponds and streams. It features clusters of fragrant, pink to rose flowers that bloom in mid to late summer, attracting an assortment of insects such as butterflies, bees, and moths.
Swamp milkweed grows 3-5 feet tall and prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun, but will tolerate average soil so long as it doesn’t dry out completely. Its deep roots help stabilize soil and manage water runoff, making it an excellent choice for pond plantings, rain gardens and wet meadows.
The plant has a white, latex-like sap and a chemical makeup that is toxic to most herbivores. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves are a food source for the endangered monarch (Danaus Plexippus) butterfly; milkweeds being the only host plant species for this well-beloved pollinator. The plant also hosts the Red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus), and Large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), are native specialist insects which also depend on the plants and do little to no harm.
Non-aggressive clumping habit, but can spread by seed if happy in its location. Young plants may need more water in higher sun, but can tolerate average soil once well-established.
Their dense root system is great for soil retention in riparian areas, but can be difficult to relocate once fully grown.