Description
Hardy, herbaceous, North American perennial
Description: Fragrant, pale pink flowers borne in tight clusters in summer atop tall stems with long, lance-shaped leaves
Habit: Grows 4 to 5 feet tall and forms clumps up to 3 feet wide; stems emit a toxic milky substance when cut (do not consume)
Culture: Prefers full sun and wet soil, but can tolerate average, well-drained soils
Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 3
Origin: Eastern United States
Attributes: Showy fragrant flowers; attracts butterflies- Monarch caterpillar host plant
In 1808, American naturalist William Bartram sent Thomas Jefferson Mimosa tree seeds in a packet tied with the "silky bark of a species of Asclepias, native to Pennsylvania," which could "prove a useful substitute for flax and cotton." It's possible that Bartram was referring to Asclepias incarnata, an eastern North American native whose bark, like that of the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), was used as a fiber source. Swamp milkweed is a welcome addition in natural settings and butterfly gardens, as it is an important food source for the Monarch butterfly.
Arrives in a 2.5” quart pot.
