Essential Native Plant: Swamp Milkweed

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), offered by OSC Seeds

Swamp Milkweed is a vital native perennial, especially suited for wetland areas. This plant is crucial for pollinators, providing a breeding ground and food source for monarch butterflies. Its fragrant, clustered blooms range from pink to purple and appear from early to mid-summer. Reaching an impressive height of 100 to 150 cm, this plant adds a wild, colorful element to any garden. Note that its sap contains cardiac glycosides, which are toxic if ingested.

Spread: 60 cm  
Plant Height: 100 to 150 cm  
Packet Size: Approximately 50 to 60 seeds  
Companion Plants: Blue flag iris, sedges, joe-pye weed  
Enemy Plants: None known  

How to Grow:  
For natural stratification, sow seeds outdoors in the fall in moist, sunny soil, lightly covering them with earth. For indoor sowing, start in February. Use a soilless mix and stratify seeds in a refrigerator for 3 months. Then, place them at 20°C to germinate in 10 to 18 days. After germination, grow under lights at a cooler temperature, and harden off seedlings before transplanting to a sunny, moist location.

Swamp Milkweed is a must-have for pollinator-friendly gardens, combining beauty and ecological utility by supporting monarch butterflies and other beneficial insects.