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Rose Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata 'Rose'

$14.39
$14.39 $17.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  3-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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Asclepias incarnata 'Rose' (Swamp Milkweed) is a showy pink blooming Asclepias species that is a food plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and a nectar source for adult butterflies. Also known as Swamp Milkweed, it grows best in moist or wet soils.
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Description

Asclepias incarnata 'Rose' (Swamp Milkweed) is a showy pink blooming Asclepias species that is a food plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and a nectar source for adult butterflies. Also called Swamp Milkweed, this milkweed actually grows well in both moderately moist and wet soils. This perennial milkweed is also an excellent choice for rain gardens.


Asclepias incarnata (also known as Swamp Milkweed) native range: AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY.

Planting & Care

Asclepias (Milkweed) are sun loving plants that are essential perennials for monarch butterflies providing food for caterpillars and nectar for adult butterflies. They bloom from mid-summer into early fall and, with their milky sap, are resistant to rabbits and deer.

Asclepias can be divided into two groups for plant care; Asclepias tuberosa with orange (sometimes yellow) flowers and all the other species with pink (sometimes white) flowers.

  • Asclepias tuberosa (Orange Butterfly Weed) - this perennial stays dormant until later in the spring than many other plants, especially when grown in pots. It's fine to plant dormant plants; don't up-pot them for planting later in the growing season.
  1. Need sandy or gravelly soils (except the Clay form which does well in heavier soils including dry clay.)
  2. Does best with gravel mulches.
  3. After their second growing season, only requires deep but infrequent watering. Plant in full hot sun.
  4. Just a few handfuls of compost and Yum Yum Mix added to the planting hole is enough. Don't plant into a rich, highly-amended soil.

Special comments:

  • When planting dormant plants, water thoroughly after planting and wait to water again until the plant comes into active growth, at which time a deep watering every week or so is adequate. Take care not to overwater young transplants.
  • Asclepias has a long, carrot-like tap root that should remain undisturbed after planting and should NOT ever be divided.

Most Asclepias species are late to wake up in the spring, and will often be shipped as dormant plants. Don't despair if your milkweed is asleep. The white roots and woody crown are alive just waiting for consistently warm weather to wake up and begin to grow.these perennial species stay dormant later in the spring than many other plants, especially when they are grown in pots. It's fine to plant dormant plants; don't up-pot them for planting later in the growing season.

Preferred growing conditions:

  1. These species grow in a wide range of soil types, including clay.
  2. They don't need mulching (except in very hot climates).
  3. These are moisture-loving perennials and do well in wet to moderately moist soil conditions.
  4. Plant in full to part sun areas.
  5. They like compost enriched soils at planting time.

Special comments:

  • Asclepias syriaca and A. speciosa will spread to make big patches of plants and are best planted in parts of the landscape where they won't crowd out less vigorous plants. Not recommended for the prime spots in your perennial beds.
  • Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) is a more refined grower and is fine to include in perennial beds.

Oftentimes, Milkweeds won't grow much their first season in the ground, so be patient. They are establishing their root system and crown. By the second growing season, the plants will begin to get bigger and look more robust. Asclepias species are an odd bunch and don't behave like many other more familiar perennials. So be patient and accept their quirky nature.

Garden care:

  1. Fertilize Asclepias just once in fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II. - Naturalized plantings don't need additional fertilization.
  2. To encourage re-seeding and provide winter interest with their ornamental seed pods, leave the stems intact over the winter. In mid-spring, remove old stems just above ground level.
  3. All species of Asclepias are late to emerge in the spring, so don't be concerned if other perennials come up first and they remain dormant.

Shipping

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As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Early to late summer

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Native
  • Naturalizes
  • Fragrant
  • Deer Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

3-4' tall

Mature Spread

36" wide

Soil Type

  • Acidic Soil
  • Clay Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil
  • Sandy Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Average
  • Moist / Wet

Planting Time

  • Fall

Native To

North America

Growing Zones

  • Zone 3
  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes

Ships As

Potted Plant

Can Send To PO Box

No
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Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 10 reviews.

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Reviews

Great plants

"Cuttings were small and dormant when planted last fall. Started growing later in spring but are now thriving !"

— Adam W. (5/5)

Great Plant

"Arrived intact, healthy and green. After planting, these milkweed plants are doing great and have taken off, gaining height and blooms already here in late June. Will be buying several more for Fall shipping, and will be hoping to have several monarch caterpillars living amongst these eventually! Highly recommended to help the endangered monarch butterfly."

— Steve (5/5)

This is my favorite plant for so many reasons!

"I wanted a milkweed to help the monarch's now that they're endangered. I did some research and found that this is native to my region, grows to a nice size without being too invasive, and has very pretty flowers. This plant exceeded my expectations. The first one I got didn't make it, but the free replacement has flourished! I wasn't expecting it to reach full size this year but it did. It has had so many flowers and is such a beautiful plant overall. The honey bees love it and the best part is that the only place I have seen any monarchs this year has been at this plant! This plant has hosted at least 3 monarch caterpillars and at least 1 has made it through to the chrysalis stage (currently hanging on my house). I have been so happy with how pretty this plant is and seeing how this is helping the monarch's, I will plant more milkweed next spring."

— Jess (5/5)

A beautiful plant and the bees and wasps just love it.

"I'm sure the monarch butterflies would love this plant, but I've not seen any this year or last year. Other butterflies visit it and it seems to be a favorite of beautiful sand wasps and leafcutter bees."

— Sassy (5/5)

Doing well. Will re-order in the Spring

"Expanding my bed for Monarch butterflies."

— Ed (5/5)

The monarchs love these.

"I ordered three plants (order 1903726) that arrived in early May of 2021 and they grew well. Between the three, they hosted over 30 monarch caterpillars! I was so delighted I ordered two more around Labor Day (order 2052204). Two of the original three are up and growing vigorously now (mid May) but the third one, along with the two I planted later, do not seem to have made it through the winter. I'm disappointed about that but happy for the two that are doing so well."

— Dulcia (4/5)

Doing well so far

"The only way to determine if a plant is ideally suited for your particular ecosystem is to wait a season or two. Waiting, will give you the best idea of how the plant will perform—. Happy gardening."

— Shelley (5/5)

rose swamp milkweed

"received healthy plants in a timely period of time-planted them right away and they are in bloom now--very happy with the service and product"

— Butterfly L. (5/5)

Trying to save the Monarchs!

"Just waiting for the Monarch butterflies now!"

— RK (5/5)

Grows terrific in PA -- bees. butterflies & more

"Very pleased with this -- which has taken off in the second year. Lots of different pollinators like the blooms, mostly bumblebees here, but I have seen a lot of other things visiting the flowers, too. Including at least one monarch butterfly, the first one I have seen in my life."

— LehighValley P. (5/5)

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