Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Asclepias purpurascens Leaves, buds, flower
Asclepias rubra Flowers
Saururus cernuus Saururus cernuus
Asclepias incarnata subsp. pulchra has some common insect problems:
Milkweed Bug
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants

Eastern Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata subsp. pulchra

Phonetic Spelling
as-KLEE-pee-as in-kar-NAH-tuh PUL-kruh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
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. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant disease problems. Most common milkweed pests (aphids, milkweed beetles, Monarch larvae, and milkweed tussock moth larvae) are not problematic, but both large and small milkweed bugs can be very damaging to seed pods.

More information on Asclepias incarnata.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#native perennials#stream banks#NC native#swamps#pond garden#native wildflower#marshes#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#native perennials#stream banks#NC native#swamps#pond garden#native wildflower#marshes#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#boggy sites
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Asclepias
    Species:
    incarnata
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Nova Scotia, Central and Eastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , MA , MD , ME , MI , NC , NH , NJ , NY , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WV
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    5-inch long brown seed pods from August to October and can last into winter. Seeds have silky white tufts and are dispersed by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pink to rose-pink fragrant flowers in terminal clusters bloom from July to September. The corolla lobes are reflexed and corona horns are longer than the hoods and incurved.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, opposite green lance-shaped leaves with fine hairs. The base is rounded to subcordate, apex acute to short-acuminate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Green branched stems with fine hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and confusion if eaten in quantity. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cardiac glycoside
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes