Note: This is the first in a series. Every Tuesday we are going to be examining a plant that attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Swamp milkweed, or Asclepias incarnata, is a beautiful plant with slender, elegant foliage and pink flowers. It is a food source for the monarch butterfly.
What’s good about it
The swamp milkweed is a plant that is native to the US and in the right conditions it is very low-maintenance.
It is one of the best food sources for monarch butterflies. It attracts other types of butterflies that feed on the nectar as well.
It gets tall, generally 4-5 feet tall. This makes it a stunning addition to the back of a border.
It thrives in heavy, damp soil due to roots that can handle low-oxygen environments.
Flowers are fragrant and attractive. While the flowers are generally pink, white cultivars are also available.
The plant makes excellent cut flowers for a vase. Some people also like to use the sculptural pods in flower arrangements as well.
Flowers from June- September
It’s a perennial, meaning it comes back year after year.
It does best in sunny, bright spots.
What’s bad about it
It doesn’t like very dry soil conditions
It gets quite large, so it might not be ideal for someone in a small space
Susceptible to aphids
May not be ideal for small spaces
Does not do well in full shade (Partial shade is ok)So there’s the rundown on the hardy and beautiful swamp milkweed. If you have a damp spot in your yard where nothing else grows, swamp milkweed may be the plant for you. If your yard is a little on the dryer side, a layer of mulch around the roots will keep it happy. Swamp milkweed is a great choice for butterfly gardens.
