Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed

Description

Milkweed is a stunning plant that adds height to a landscape space. The Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed has striking textured dark green foliage. Delicate, star-shaped white flowers emerge in clusters on top of the tall stems during the mid to late summer. This upright thriller has the scientific name Asclepias incarnata but is also known as rose milkweed or swamp milkweed. This plant is native to North America, and once established, it requires very little care. The fragrant flowers attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, but this plant is a particular favorite with Monarch butterflies. Plant the swamp milkweed in borders, mass planting, or containers. The blooms can be used as cut flowers, and they dry very well to use in dry arrangements. This hardy plant is a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 9. Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed Care Plant in full to part sun. The Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed thrives in damp soil that retains moisture, but it does not like soggy conditions. The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic and have rich organic content. Milkweed is not a heavy feeder, and it is unnecessary to fertilize this plant. Apply a layer of organic compost around the plant in the spring to retain moisture and give the plant a boost of vitamins and minerals. Remove spent blooms, so the plant has a tidy appearance. Trim the tall stems back to about 6 inches in the fall; otherwise, the plant does not require much pruning. Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed Spacing This upright thriller reaches 36 to 48 inches tall. The plant will spread out 18 to 24 inches and can be spaced right up against one another to create a full and lush planting. Select a large pot for a single plant when grown in a container.Milkmaid Tropical Milkweed Information USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9Plant Type: PerennialsLight Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)Mature Height: 3 – 4 FeetMature Spread: 2 – 3 FeetSpacing: 2 – 3 FeetHabit: UprightFlower Color(s): WhiteFlower Description: Bloom Period: Mid Summer, Late SummerFoliage Type: HerbaceousFoliage Color(s): GreenFoliage Description: Green VariegatedSeasonal Interest: Summer FloweringWatering: AverageResists: DeerTolerates: N/AAttracts: Bees, Butterflies, HummingbirdsContainer Role: ThrillerUses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Wildlife GardensFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Native to North AmericaBrand: Proven WinnersCommon Name: Milkmaid Tropical MilkweedOther Name(s): Scientific Name: Asclepias incarnata