Swamp Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias)

Name: Swamp Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias)
SKU: HC013286
Price: 3.95 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) is a wildflower with very beautiful clusters of pink flowers in summer and is a favorite larval food for Monarch butterflies.

Zones	3 - 8
Advantages	Bee Friendly Attract Butterflies Attract Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Native Great For Mass Plantings Multiplies / Naturalizes Fragrant Flower / Foliage
Light Requirements	Full Sun Half Sun / Half Shade
Mature Spread	36-48" tall
Bloom Time	Summer
Shipping Details	Most orders ship within 2 business days. Learn More…
Item Package Size	Packet
SKU	HC013286

USDA Hardiness Planting Zones

To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.

If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).

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HC013286

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Details

Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) is a wildflower with very beautiful clusters of pink flowers in summer and is a favorite larval food for Monarch butterflies. It grows in medium to moist soil conditions (it doesn't need a swamp) and many types of soil including clay. A great species for rain gardens. USDA zones 3-8. Seeds require special prep for germination. See our planting guide below. Asclepias incarnata 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.

More Information
SKU	HC013286
Common Name	Swamp Milkweed Seeds
Botanical Name	Asclepias incarnata
Item Package Size	Packet
Seed Life Cycle	Perennial
Light Requirements	Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Flower Color	Pink
Bloom Time	Summer
Mature Height	36-48" tall
Wildflower Mix or Specie	Species
Ships As	Seed
Ideal Region	Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest
Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Days To Germinate	Cold Stratification - 30 days
Native To	North America
Seeds Per Pound	76800
Seeds Per Packet	45
Soil Type	Loamy Soil, Sandy Soil, Clay Soil
Soil Moisture	Average, Moist / Wet
Advantages	Bee Friendly, Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Native, Great For Mass Plantings, Multiplies / Naturalizes, Fragrant Flower / Foliage
Ships To Canada	Yes

Planting Guides

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.

Planting Milkweed Seeds:

Milkweed (Asclepias) seeds germinate best under warm soil conditions. The seeds need a cold, dormant period, known as stratification, to germinate.

They can be successfully seeded outdoors in fall in areas that received frost, for spring germination. For mid to late spring planting, all species (A. tuberosa, A. syriaca, A. sullivantii, A. incarnata) will also germinate moderately well when seeded into warm ground after being stratified (chilled).

Dry stratification is done by placing dry seed in the refrigerator for 30 or more days. A more effective strategy is to moist stratify them by mixing seed with moist (not soggy) sand in a zip-lock plastic bag and place them in the refrigerator for 30 days. After 30 days of cold moist storage, the seed's natural chemical germination inhibitors have dissipated and are ready to sprout.

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.

Preferred growing conditions:

Need sandy or gravelly soils (except the Clay form which does well in heavier soils including dry clay.)
Does best with gravel mulches.
After their second growing season, only requires deep but infrequent watering. Plant in full hot sun.
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:

These species grow in a wide range of soil types, including clay.
They don't need mulching (except in very hot climates).
These are moisture-loving perennials and do well in wet to moderately moist soil conditions.
Plant in full to part sun areas.
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:

Fertilize Asclepias just once in fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II. - Naturalized plantings don't need additional fertilization.
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.
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.

View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.

Shipping

Most orders ship within 2 business days.

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. Depending upon your order date, we may hold your shipment to combine it with other products on your order, if applicable. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.

Shipping Rates

Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door.

US Shipping Charges

Merchandise Total	Shipping Charges
Up to $19.99	$8.99
$20 to $34.99	$10.99
$35 to $49.99	$12.99
$50 to $74.99	$14.99
$75 to $99.99	$16.99
$100 and Over	$18.99

Canadian Shipping Charges

Merchandise	Shipping Charges
Up to $24.99	$14.95
$25 to $49.99	$19.95
$50 to $74.99	$24.95
$75 to $99.99	$29.95
$100 and Over	$39.95

We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.

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Swamp Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias)