Swamp Milkweed
(Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
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Luka S. (someplant)
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Luka S. (someplant)
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Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Luka S. (someplant) | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Luka S. (someplant) | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-07-11T22:02:32Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Asclepias incarnata, commonly known as Swamp Milkweed, is a deciduous perennial herb native to wetlands, such as marshes, swamps, and wet prairies, in the Central and Eastern USA and Southern Canada. It typically reaches a height of 5 feet (1.5 meters) and a spread of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters). Swamp Milkweed has narrow, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of fragrant flowers that are usually pink and occasionally light purple or white, blooming in mid to late summer. The flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, especially monarchs, for their nectar and as a host plant for larvae.
Swamp Milkweed is valued for its ornamental flowers and its role in supporting pollinators. It is ideal for rain gardens, naturalized areas, and butterfly gardens due to its affinity for moist environments and its attractiveness to wildlife. It requires full sun and can tolerate medium to wet soil conditions with good drainage. While it is adaptable to ordinary garden soil, it thrives in consistently moist soil. Swamp Milkweed is generally low maintenance but can be susceptible to aphids and milkweed bugs. It is not typically aggressive but can self-seed in optimal growing conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Swamp Milkweed is valued for its ornamental flowers and its role in supporting pollinators. It is ideal for rain gardens, naturalized areas, and butterfly gardens due to its affinity for moist environments and its attractiveness to wildlife. It requires full sun and can tolerate medium to wet soil conditions with good drainage. While it is adaptable to ordinary garden soil, it thrives in consistently moist soil. Swamp Milkweed is generally low maintenance but can be susceptible to aphids and milkweed bugs. It is not typically aggressive but can self-seed in optimal growing conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wetlands, such as marshes, swamps, and wet prairies
Other Names
Common Names: Rose Milkweed , Rose Milkflower , Swamp Silkweed , White Indian Hemp
Scientific Names: Asclepias incarnata , Asclepias incarnata var. longifolia , Acerates incarnata , Asclepias incarnata f. incarnata
GBIF Accepted Name: Asclepias incarnata L.