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General Information
Swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata is a resilient, adaptable native plant for perennial gardens, butterfly gardens and rain gardens. This milkweed prefers medium to wet soils. It grows from 3-4 feet tall in part to full sun. The beautiful pink flower clusters appear in June to July and continue until early fall. Swamp milkweed is a valuable larval plant host for the Monarch butterfly.
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Plant Care Instruction
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- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
February1. Sow SeedsTo start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.March1. BuyContainer grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.2. PlantSwamp milkweed can be planted in early spring when a light frost is expected, and then through spring to early summer.3. Sow SeedsTo start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.April1. BuyContainer grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.2. PlantSwamp milkweed can be planted in early spring when a light frost is expected, and then through spring to early summer.3. Sow SeedsTo start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.4. PruneFor bushier plants, pinch plant tips. This technique can be used to keep plants shorter and more manageable. Note that pinching more than once can delay bloom.May1. BuyContainer grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.2. PlantSwamp milkweed can still be planted in late spring and then through early summer. Take care to water regularly until plant is established.3. FertilizeSwamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.4. WaterWater well until established. Established plants can withstand dry spells, but the plant will do best with moist to wet soils.5. PruneFor bushier plants, pinch plant tips. This technique can be used to keep plants shorter and more manageable. Note that pinching more than once can delay bloom.June1. BuyContainer grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.2. PlantSwamp milkweed can still be planted in late spring and then through early summer. Take care to water regularly until plant is established.3. FertilizeSwamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.4. WaterWater well until established. Established plants can withstand dry spells, but the plant will do best with moist to wet soils.5. MulchMulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.6. Pest/Disease InspectionWatch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.July1. FertilizeSwamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.2. WaterProvide adequate water through hot weather.3. MulchMulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.4. Pest/Disease InspectionWatch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.5. Treat for Pest/DiseaseDirect a strong hose spray towards aphids. You may want to use soapy water or horticultural soap if problem persists.6. PropagateDivision is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.August1. WaterProvide adequate water through hot weather.2. MulchMulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.3. Pest/Disease InspectionWatch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.4. Treat for Pest/DiseaseDirect a strong hose spray towards aphids. You may want to use soapy water or horticultural soap if problem persists.5. TransplantTransplanting is not recommended due to the delicate tap root.6. PropagateDivision is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.7. Special requirementsSwamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems.September1. PlantSwamp milkweed can be planted in early autumn before freezing temperatures. Take care to water regularly until ground freezes.2. Sow SeedsSow seeds outdoors before first frost. Barley cover with soil and keep moist until ground freezes. Swamp milkweed is slow to appear in spring, for this reason, mark the place well. Be patient and keep soil moist through germination and seedling growth.3. TransplantTransplanting is not recommended due to the delicate tap root.4. PropagateDivision is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.5. Special requirementsSwamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems.October1. PlantSwamp milkweed can be planted in early autumn before freezing temperatures. Take care to water regularly until ground freezes.2. Sow SeedsSow seeds outdoors before first frost. Barley cover with soil and keep moist until ground freezes. Swamp milkweed is slow to appear in spring, for this reason, mark the place well. Be patient and keep soil moist through germination and seedling growth.3. Special requirementsSwamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems. -
Buy
When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!
March
Container grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.
April
Container grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.
May
Container grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.
June
Container grown Swamp Milkweed becomes available when garden center perennial stock appears.
Plant
When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?
March
Swamp milkweed can be planted in early spring when a light frost is expected, and then through spring to early summer.
April
Swamp milkweed can be planted in early spring when a light frost is expected, and then through spring to early summer.
May
Swamp milkweed can still be planted in late spring and then through early summer. Take care to water regularly until plant is established.
June
Swamp milkweed can still be planted in late spring and then through early summer. Take care to water regularly until plant is established.
September
Swamp milkweed can be planted in early autumn before freezing temperatures. Take care to water regularly until ground freezes.
October
Swamp milkweed can be planted in early autumn before freezing temperatures. Take care to water regularly until ground freezes.
Sow Seeds
When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements?
February
To start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.
March
To start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.
April
To start by seed outdoors requires pre-chilling. Refrigerate for 3 weeks prior to sowing. Barely cover with soil and keep moist.
September
Sow seeds outdoors before first frost. Barley cover with soil and keep moist until ground freezes. Swamp milkweed is slow to appear in spring, for this reason, mark the place well. Be patient and keep soil moist through germination and seedling growth.
October
Sow seeds outdoors before first frost. Barley cover with soil and keep moist until ground freezes. Swamp milkweed is slow to appear in spring, for this reason, mark the place well. Be patient and keep soil moist through germination and seedling growth.
Fertilize
When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?
May
Swamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.
June
Swamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.
July
Swamp milkweed requires little fertilizer, if any. When grown in beds with other perennials, some fertilizer will not harm the plant.
Water
Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?
May
Water well until established. Established plants can withstand dry spells, but the plant will do best with moist to wet soils.
June
Water well until established. Established plants can withstand dry spells, but the plant will do best with moist to wet soils.
July
Provide adequate water through hot weather.
August
Provide adequate water through hot weather.
Prune
When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements?
April
For bushier plants, pinch plant tips. This technique can be used to keep plants shorter and more manageable. Note that pinching more than once can delay bloom.
May
For bushier plants, pinch plant tips. This technique can be used to keep plants shorter and more manageable. Note that pinching more than once can delay bloom.
Mulch
Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?
June
Mulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.
July
Mulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.
August
Mulch during these months to help to conserve soil moisture that swamp milkweed prefers.
Pest/Disease Inspection
What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear?
June
Watch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.
July
Watch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.
August
Watch out for aphids. Otherwise swamp milkweed is relatively pest-free.
Treat for Pest/Disease
How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements?
July
Direct a strong hose spray towards aphids. You may want to use soapy water or horticultural soap if problem persists.
August
Direct a strong hose spray towards aphids. You may want to use soapy water or horticultural soap if problem persists.
Transplant
When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements?
August
Transplanting is not recommended due to the delicate tap root.
September
Transplanting is not recommended due to the delicate tap root.
Propagate
When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements?
July
Division is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.
August
Division is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.
September
Division is not recommended due to delicate tap root. Root cuttings can be made, but propagation by seed is preferable.
Special requirements
Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories?
August
Swamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems.
September
Swamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems.
October
Swamp milkweed can proliferate by wind-blown seeds, remove seed heads to avoid re-seeding problems.
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