Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Hardy, herbaceous, North American perennial
Fragrant, pale pink flowers borne in tight clusters in summer atop tall stems with long, lance-shaped leaves
Origin: Eastern United States

In 1808, American naturalist William Bartram sent Thomas Jefferson Mimosa tree seeds in a packet tied with the "silky bark of a species of Asclepias, native to Pennsylvania," which could "prove a useful substitute for flax and cotton." It's possible that Bartram was referring to Asclepias incarnata, an eastern North American native whose bark, like that of the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), was used as a fiber source. Swamp milkweed is a welcome addition in natural settings and butterfly gardens, as it is an important food source for the Monarch butterfly.

Arrives in a 2.5” pot.