Swamp Milkweed
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Asclepias incarnata
Asclepias incarnata, commonly known as swamp milkweed, is a plant native to Texas. It typically grows in swamps, river bottomlands, and wet meadows throughout the state. This plant usually reaches heights of 3 to 4 feet on branching stems and produces small, fragrant flowers that range in color from pink to mauve. These flowers, featuring five reflexed petals and a prominent central crown, bloom in tight clusters at the ends of the stems during summer, though some may be white. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves taper to a point and measure 3 to 6 inches long. When the stems are cut, they release a toxic milky sap. After flowering, the plant develops attractive seed pods that split open when ripe, dispersing silky-haired seeds carried effortlessly by the wind. Swamp milkweed serves as a nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds and provides food for the larval stage of monarch butterflies.
These plants can thrive in medium to wet soils when grown in full sun. Surprisingly, they also tolerate average, well-drained soils in cultivation, despite their native habitats being swamps and wet meadows. Since swamp milkweeds have deep taproots, it is advisable to leave them undisturbed once established. Foliage emerges slowly in the spring.
Larval Host Plant: Monarch Butterfly (Danas plexippus), Queen Butterfly, (Danaus gilippus)
Nectar Source Plant: Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), Common Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis), Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), Large Wood Nymph (Cercyonis pegala), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Queen (Danaus gilippus), Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris spp.)
BONAP MAP
Height: 3’-4’
Spread 2’-3’
Bloom: July-August
Light: Full Sun
Water: Medium, High
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6
Origin: Northeastern and Southeastern United States
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
