Asclepias incarnata - Rose (aka Swamp) Milkweed (qt)

Rose Milkweed, also known as Swamp Milkweed, so named for its tendency to grow in wetter soils, is a widely regarded as one of the most fragrant, beautiful, and well-behaved milkweed species for home landscaping. Of course, like all Asclepias spp., Asclepias incarnata is a host plant for Monarch butterflies, but it brings much more value than just this. For one, it’s one of the most shade-tolerant milkweeds, which gives you more options for planting location. Specifically, this species thrives in both full sun and part sun (>4hrs of sunlight per day) and can handle soil wetnesses from saturated wet to medium-dry. If planting in drier soil, choose sites without harsh afternoon-evening sun. Ideal sites are wet meadows, pond edges, stream banks, and rain gardens.

Rose milkweed grows 3-5 feet tall, and its vanilla-scented rose pink flower blossoms from June to August are a lovely addition to any garden backdrop. In addition to supporting Monarch butterflies both as a host plant and a nectar plant, Swamp milkweed supports dozens of other insects - it is a host plant for 12 species of Lepidoptera, including the endangered Unexpected Cycnia moth, and is a host plant for the Red milkweed beetle, large milkweed bug, and small milkweed bug. The flowers are visited by a plethora of native bees and other insects including Bumblebees, leaf-cutter bees, sweat bees, beneficial wasps, hoverflies, and beetles. In the fall and winter, seed eating birds like Pine Siskins dine on the seeds. In short, the bees, birds, butterflies, beetles, and more will thank you for choosing to plant native, pesticide-free milkweed from Magical Mystery Meadows!

Sun: full - partial

Height: 3-5’

Flower color: rose - pink

Bloom time: June - August

Wetness: medium-dry - wet (tolerates wet feet)

Root system: fibrous

Soil: clay, loam