Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Plant Names
Asclepias incarnata
Swamp Milkweed
Asclépiade incarnate
Synonyms
asclépiade rouge
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Pink
Bloom Period: Jul - Aug
Max Height: 4.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Prairies
- Boreal Shield
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Asclepias incarnata
- Danaus plexippus (Monarch)
- Trichordestra legitima (Striped Garden Caterpillar)
Specialized Bees Supported by Asclepias incarnata
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- Calamagrostis canadensis
Bluejoint Reedgrass
Calamagrostide du Canada - Lilium michiganense
Michigan Lily
Lis du Michigan - Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal Flower
Lobélie cardinale - Lysimachia ciliata
Fringed Yellow Loosestrife
Lysimaque ciliée - Mimulus ringens
Square-stemmed Monkeyflower
Mimule à fleurs entrouvertes
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
- Asclepias (Milkweed Cultivars)
- Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed)
- Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow by March
- Stratification duration: 30 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Sow promptly. Can be kept in fridge up to 2 months.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: August
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
- Harvesting:
- Use hand to detach from main stem
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Remove non-seed material
- Harvesting video: Watch here
Toxicity Notes
Toxic to mammals if ingested.