Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Swamp milkweed brings beauty and biodiversity to the moist garden. Asclepias incarnata is a native perennial prized for domed clusters of rosy pink, vanilla-scented flowers and for a vital role in feeding pollinators, native to wet meadows, streambanks, and lowland prairies across much of North America. The plant takes happily to rain gardens, wet soils, and sunny borders alike, a natural for the ecologically minded gardener.
From mid to late summer the fragrant flowers draw monarch butterflies, bees, and a host of beneficial insects, and the foliage feeds monarch caterpillars, so swamp milkweed serves as both nectar bar and nursery, helping sustain declining butterfly numbers. Unlike the running common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, swamp milkweed is well mannered and clump forming, standing upright to three to five feet without taking over.
Plant swamp milkweed in full sun to part shade in moist to wet soil, in a rain garden, a pond edge, a wet meadow, or a mixed border that does not dry out, where the pink flowers and the butterfly traffic can be enjoyed. Deer tend to leave the milky-sapped stems alone, and a tidy clump returns reliably each year. Leave the slender seed pods to ripen for silky, wind-borne seed.
Photo courtesy of Mary Kleim.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 3–8
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Moist
- Mature size
- Height 3–5 Feet · Spread 2–3 Feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Seasonality
- Dies back
Domed clusters of fragrant rosy-pink flowers, mid to late summer
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.