Species Swamp Milkweed
pink-purple flowers, green leaves and green-purple stems

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata subsp. incarnata

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata subsp. incarnata) is a low-growing perennial wildflower native to the United States. The plants form clumps of upright green stems, and in summer, they produce clusters of sweetly fragranced pink and white flowers. The flowers attract a wide variety of beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, making it a great choice for butterfly gardens. The plants are drought-tolerant and flourish in wet, marshy areas, making them a wonderful choice for naturalizing wet areas. After flowering, the plant produces clusters of oval, seed-filled pods. Swamp Milkweed is a great choice for low maintenance gardens and is sure to add beauty and interest to any space.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Root Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Swamp Milkweed should be watered deeply but infrequently, so that the soil becomes lightly moist but never soggy. During the summer months, water the plant every 7-10 days, but in cooler months, it only needs to be watered every 10-14 days. If the weather is unusually hot or dry for long periods, water may need to be increased to every 3-4 days during summer. Avoid wetting the leaves as this can attract disease issues. Be sure to check the soil before watering to make sure the moisture level is low.

sunlight

Swamp Milkweed prefers full sun and blooms throughout the summer. Generally, the best time of day for Swamp Milkweed is from mid-morning to early afternoon. A minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight is recommended for optimal growth and flowering, although individual plants may vary in their sun requirements. When grown in partial shade, Swamp Milkweed may become spindly and produce fewer flowers.

pruning

Swamp Milkweed should be pruned back in late autumn or early winter. Pruning should focus on cutting back the stems and foliage to about 2 inches tall in order to ensure that the plant will have strong, healthy new growth in the spring. Pruning should also remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as any flower buds and seed pods, in order to keep the plant looking neat and tidy. After pruning, it's a good idea to mulch around the plants with compost or other organic matter in order to give them an extra boost of nutrients.