Asclepias, Swamp Milkweed 'Minnesota Native'

Asclepias, Swamp Milkweed 'Minnesota Native'
Sun Preference
Full-Sun
Bloom or Harvest Time
June, July
As low as: $0.00

Description

This milkweed is an erect, clump forming native plant. It forms small fragrant pink to mauve flowers that appear in tight clusters followed by attractive seed pods. Thrives along ponds and streams. Attracts butterflies.

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Details

Swamp Milkweed | Asclepias incarnata

Plant Height:  3 feet

Flower Height:  4 feet

Spread:  32 inches

Sunlight: full sun to partial sun

Hardiness Zone:  2a

Other Names:  Butterfly Weed

Brand:  Gertens

Description:

Erect, clumping form; small fragrant pink-to-mauve blossoms attract butterflies; thrives along ponds and streams

Ornamental Features

Swamp Milkweed has fuchsia flat-top flowers with rose overtones at the ends of the stems from mid summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Swamp Milkweed is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Swamp Milkweed is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Swamp Milkweed will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 4 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 32 inches. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This species is native to parts of North America.

More Information

Bloom or Harvest Time June, July
Sun Preference Full-Sun
USDA Hardiness Zone 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Mature Spread (Range) 12" - 24"
Mature Height (Range) 37" - 48"

Product Questions (15)

Gertens carries annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, water plants, house plants, edibles, cacti/succulents, seasonal blooming holiday plants and a wide variety of bulbs and seeds!
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season (spring – fall/frost). Perennials are plants that live for more than two growing seasons. They die back in winter and re-emerge in spring. ...
Hardiness is the capacity of a cultivated plant to withstand adverse conditions, usually its tolerance of low temperature. Plants are given a hardiness rating by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 11 zones based on the coldest or warmest temperature...
Attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to your garden is best done with flowering plants, usually native perennials and grasses. Grasses can provide habitat, while flowering natives provide nectar. There are also a variety of annuals and tropical...
A short list of perennials that will attract butterflies includes Yarrow, Coneflowers, Blazing Star, Asters, Milkweed, Butterfly weed, Black-eyed Susan and Bee balm aka Monarda. These are all hardy to Minnesota. Check ...
To take care of a butterfly bush during the fall put the plant in a pot and bring it inside (an unheated garage is fine) during winter. Deadhead as necessary. Water once a month.
A short list of perennials that do well in shade include Coral Bell, Astilbe, Aralia, Snakeroot, Hosta, Ferns, Bleeding Hearts and more. To view more perennials found at Gertens, click ...
Monarch butterflies are attracted to all types of native Milkweed. The female Monarch lays her eggs only on Milkweeds - plants in the Asclepias genus - where the caterpillars will hatch, feed and grow before forming a chrysalis. Adults also love Butterfly...
A perennial that is less hardy to your hardiness zone can be brought indoors for winter in a pot appropriate for its size. You don’t want the plant roots to dry out for long periods, but don’t let the soil be soggy. Water about once a month and watch...
Yes, an unheated garage should be just enough extra protection for zone 5 plants. Don’t let the plant dry out for long periods, water it about once a month. To find out what hardiness zone you are in, click ...
Yes, you can overwater plants. Especially in pots but also in the ground, however, planting in the ground allows for better water dispersion so the odds of overwatering are less. Low lying areas may be more prone to flooding. Areas with clay soil also...
A rough estimate for the last frost date here in zone 4b is the first week of May. This is not exact, as Minnesota weather can be variable, but it does help for plantings.
Hummingbirds drink nectar through their long tongue and prefer to drink out of long tubular flowers. A Mandevilla plant is a great example. ...
Generally, Japanese beetles are not going after the perennials. They like trees, roses, vines. Grape vines are one of their favorites, as are roses. But they have been seen on milkweed flowers, green bean leaves and more. Japanese...
Once you get the plant home, dig a hole in the ground twice as wide as the pot it’s in. Loosen the soil, and then pat root stimulator on the roots. Plant in the hole at the same...
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