Toxic Plant Connu comme étant toxique - All parts of swamp milkweed contain cardiac glycosides and are toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities. These compounds can affect the heart and digestive system. The milky sap can cause skin or eye irritation. Keep away from pets and livestock.

Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Asclepias incarnata
Swamp Milkweed
Asclépiade incarnate

Synonyms

asclépiade rouge

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Rose Bloom Period: Jul - Aug
Hauteur max: 4,0 feet
Max Width: 3,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Facile à germer
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
wetland garden Souhaitable dans les jardins de zone humide
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Swamp Milkweed has upright stems, narrow lance-shaped leaves, and rounded clusters of fragrant pink to rose-coloured flowers. After flowering, it produces distinctive pointed seed pods filled with silky seeds that are dispersed by wind. It is an excellent choice for a wet meadow, pond edge or sunny native border. It forms upright clumps and is generally well behaved compared with some other milkweeds. It needs reliable moisture when young but can tolerate somewhat drier conditions once established. Full sun produces the strongest flowering and sturdier growth. Avoid planting it in a permanently dry location.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Asclepias incarnata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Maritime de l'Atlantique
  • Prairies
  • Bouclier boréal
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Asclepias incarnata

Specialized Bees Supported by Asclepias incarnata

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

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: Couvrir très légèrement
  • 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:
    • Utiliser la main pour détacher de la tige principale
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • 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

All parts of swamp milkweed contain cardiac glycosides and are toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities. These compounds can affect the heart and digestive system. The milky sap can cause skin or eye irritation. Keep away from pets and livestock.