September 2025

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is a hardy perennial wildflower native to North America. It grows 3–5 feet tall with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and, in summer, produces clusters of fragrant pink blooms. These flowers are long lasting and highly attractive to pollinators, especially monarch butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. After blooming, slender pods form and later split open to release silky seeds that float on the wind.

Despite its name, Swamp Milkweed is not limited to swamps. It thrives in moist, rich soils but will tolerate average garden soil if watered regularly. Full sun is best, though it can handle light shade, and unlike many milkweeds, this species appreciates consistent moisture, making it ideal for rain gardens, pond edges, or low areas in the landscape. Cold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9, it returns year after year with minimal care.

Swamp milkweed is one of the host plants for monarch caterpillars and provides crucial nectar for a wide variety of pollinators. It is easy to grow, deer and rabbit resistant, and its ecological value makes it an excellent choice for home gardens. Here at the Garden, you can find Swamp Milkweed near the The BGO Vegetable Garden, supported by the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.

Come visit and see this pollinator favorite in bloom, a beautiful, resilient plant that brings life and color to the Garden while supporting wildlife.