Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a North American native perennial that grows 3 to 5 feet tall, featuring vanilla-scented pink flower clusters that bloom from midsummer to late summer. Thriving in moist soil and full sun, this beautiful plant is an essential larval host for monarch butterflies, supporting their lifecycle and promoting pollinator health. Hardy in USDA zones 3 - 9, Swamp milkweed is a vital addition to any native garden dedicated to fostering biodiversity.

• Sunlight: Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours daily).

• Soil & Water: Loves damp, wet, or clay soils, but adapts well to standard moist garden beds if watered regularly.

• Growth Habit: Forms tidy, upright clumps (2 - 3 feet wide) rather than spreading aggressively via underground runners.

• Maintenance: Cut dead stems back to the ground in early spring.

• Monarch Support: Essential caterpillar host plant and heavy nectar producer for adult monarchs, swallowtails, and native bees.

• Toxicity: Contains toxic cardiac glycosides in its milky white sap, making it deer-resistant but toxic to pets and livestock if ingested.

• Landscaping: Excellent for rain gardens, pond borders, wet meadows, and traditional pollinator beds.