Butterflies and hummingbirds will flock to your garden to feast on the sweet nectar of this easy-to-grow, heirloom perennial. Often called swamp milkweed, this species grows best in moist or wet soils, such as near a pond or stream, but the loosely-clumped plants also grow well in a garden with regular watering. Decorative seed pods are beautiful in dried arrangements. Sap is toxic; avoid eye/skin contact and do not ingest.

Variety Info

• Family: Apocynaceae
• Native: Eastern ⅔ of the U.S. and Canada
• Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 3-6
• Exposure: Full sun
• Bloom Period: Summer
• Plant Dimensions: 2'–4' tall on average but may reach as tall as 6'
• Variety Info: Individual flowers ½" long, borne in pink or white clusters
• Attributes: Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Deer Resistant

Sowing Info

• When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, or in the fall for spring germination.
• When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date.
• Days to Emerge: 14–28 days
• Seed Depth: ¼"
• Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 16"–36"
• Thinning: When 3" tall, thin to 1 every 16"–36"

Growing Info