Red Swamp Milkweed Seeds 6985

C$2.19
Article number: OSC6985
Availability: In stock (27)

Red Swamp Milkweed Seeds 6985 (Asclepias incarnata). 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 (39-59"") 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.

How to Grow

140 to 180 seed/gram. Naturally stratify seed by sowing directly outdoors in the fall in a sunny wet soil site - cover seed very lightly with soil. Indoors sow seed in a soil-less medium in early February, barely cover seed as diffuse light aids germination. Stratify seed by placing container in a refrigerator or other cold place for 3 months. Bring the container out and keep at 20 C (70 F) for the 10-18 day germination period. Grow on under lights at a slightly cooler temperature before hardening off and transplanting outside to a sunny spot in continually damp to very wet soil. Like all members of the milkweed group, seed from mature plants disperses easily by wind action.


Additional information

WEIGHT N/A
DIMENSIONS N/A
BLOOMING SEASON BEGINS

High Summer

LIFECYCLE

Perennial

PROPAGATION

Start Indoors or Sow Direct in Fall

DAYS TO EMERGENCE

20-Oct

LIGHT

Full Sun

GROWTH HABIT

Sturdy

HEIGHT

Medium (50 to 70 cm)(20"" to 28"")

FROST TOLERANCE

Winter Hardy

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

Easy

HERITAGE

Native of Ontario

FAMILY NAME

Apocynaceae

LATIN

Asclepias incarnata

REQUIRES STRATIFICATION

Many native plants produce seed that is viable but dormant. This means that while the seed has all the internal structures and nutrients required to germinate, the seed coat is so hard, water cannot

SUGGESTED USES

Butterfly and Pollinator garden plant, Fragrant garden, Native garden, Natural land regeneration projects, Wetland plant

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