Asclepias incarnata is one of 11 milkweed species native to Pennsylvania. It prefers full to partial sun in wet to medium soils and reaches heights of up to 4 feet. It is not as aggressive as common milkweed which makes it a good choice for home landscaping. Its fragrant flowers bloom from June through August and are visited by many species of bees and butterflies. If you have ever smelled one yourself, you will know why they are irresistible to pollinators!
Rose Milkweed is a larval host plant for the imperiled Monarch butterfly, as well as the Queen butterfly, Milkweed tussock moth and Dogbane tiger moth. Chickadees, Tree Sparrows and Juncos eat the seed in fall and winter and Chickadees will use the fluff as insulation in tree hollows, birdhouses and old nests. Some birds like Goldfinches and Orioles will use the stem fibers for nesting material. Rose Milkweed is also deer and rabbit resistant, making it a winner here on the farm! If you would like to add this highly beneficial beauty to your own landscape, we’ve got it! You can easily schedule a time to visit us on our website. Our plants are straight species, grown from seed to promote genetic diversity and neonicotinoid free! We look forward to seeing you!
🌿 Botanical and Horticultural Profiles
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Provides a comprehensive plant profile, including habitat preferences, morphological details, and ecological relationships.
🔗 wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=asin
USDA Plants Database
Offers taxonomic information, distribution maps, and status details for Asclepias incarnata.
🔗 plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/ASIN
New England Wild Flower Society – Plant Finder
Details on the plant’s characteristics, growing conditions, and its role in supporting wildlife.
🔗 plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/plant/Asclepias-incarnata
🐝 Ecological and Pollinator Information
Pollinator Partnership – Plant Fact Sheet
Highlights the plant’s importance to pollinators, including butterflies and bees.
🔗 pollinator.org/assets/globals/PWCC-Plant-Profiles.pdf
Tallgrass Prairie Center – Species Production Guide
Discusses the plant’s role in pollinator habitats and provides guidance on seed production.
🔗 tallgrassprairiecenter.org/native-seed-production-manual/species-production-guides/forbs/swamp-milkweed
🌎 Conservation and Status Reports
USDA Forest Service – Fire Effects Information System
Offers insights into the plant’s distribution, ecological role, and response to fire.
🔗 fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/forb/ascinc/all.html
Wikipedia – Asclepias incarnata
Provides an overview of the species, including taxonomy, cultivation, ecological interactions, and traditional uses.
🔗 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias_incarnata