Asclepias incarnata Seeds - Evergreen Perennial Flowering Butterfly Shrub - New

Asclepias, the milkweeds, is a genus of herbaceous perennial, dicotyledonous plants that contains over 140 known species. Pollination in this genus is accomplished in an unusual manner. Pollen is grouped into complex structures called pollinia (or "pollen sacs"), rather than being individual grains or tetrads, as is typical for most plants. The feet or mouthparts of flower-visiting insects such as bees, wasps and butterflies, slip into one of the five slits in each flower formed by adjacent anthers. The bases of the pollinia then mechanically attach to the insect, pulling a pair of pollen sacs free when the pollinator flies off, assuming the insect is large enough to produce the necessary pulling force (if not, the insect may become trapped and die). Pollination is effected by the reverse procedure in which one of the pollinia becomes trapped within the anther slit.

Asclepias incarnata is a tall, very showy perennial wildflower with large umbels of pink and mauve blossoms. This butterfly haven will naturalize freely, and produce attractive seed pods for use in dried flower arrangements. Named the “Swamp Milkweed” from its preference for a wetland habitat, but will also thrive in average garden soil. A favorite for butterfly gardens and easy to grow! It grows 90cm to 150cm in height, should be spaced 45cm to 60cm apart in full sun. The plant attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.