Red Swamp Milkweed Seeds 6985 (Asclepias incarnata). Native of Canada. Perennial.

Approximately 25 seeds per packet (125 seeds/gram)

Red swamp milkweed is a beautiful Ontario native plant at home in wetland areas. Like other members of the milkweed family, it is an important plant for providing nectar for native pollinators and butterflies. In particular it is a crucial host plant for both adult Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) which lay their eggs on them and the emergent caterpillars which feed exclusively on the leaves. The flowers appear in early to mid summer and are borne in rounded clusters known as umbels. They are quite ornamental, shading from pink to mauve through to almost purple with a pleasant fragrance. Plants grow from 100-150 cm tall. Note that the white sap found in all parts of the plant contains cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to humans and livestock if ingested in significant quantities. Perennial hardy to Zone 3. For many native and perennial plants, late fall is the best time to sow seed directly outside. Why you ask? Simply put, many of these plants produce seed that is viable but dormant. This means allowing seeds to naturally stratify over winter will “wake up” the dormant seed for best results.