What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 49: swamp milkweed

This escaped me until yesterday when I noted it’s ready to bloom. I misidentified it as Joe Pye but realized today that it’s swamp milkweed - the major clue being that it’s blooming way too early to be Joe Pye. I see it’s coming up in a few places in the garden beds, but this one is the most mature and will bloom out any day now. It’s really lovely and butterflies love it.

More info:

Asclepias incarnata subsp. pulchra 

Common Name(s):

 

• Eastern Swamp Milkweed

Phonetic Spelling

as-KLEE-pee-as in-kar-NAH-tuh PUL-kruh

Description

Eastern Swamp Milkweed is a native wildflower found in bogs, marshes and other wet sites. It can be found on the coast, Piedmont and mountain areas of NC. It is similar to A. incarnata but can be distinguished by its broader leaves, bushier appearance, and deeper bloom color (though it can be highly variable). It grows 2-4 feet high and the 5-inch seed pods persist into winter. It was chosen as the 2005 NC Wildflower of the Year.

Although it naturally grows along ponds, streams, swamps and bogs, this plant will do well in low lying areas of the garden that retain moisture. It is tolerant of clay soils and will grow in full sun to partial shade. It is pollinated by bees and is a host plant for the monarch butterfly. Use in a native/pollinator garden. 

More information on Asclepias incarnata.