Asclepias Incarnata 'Milkmaid'

Swamp Milkweed

A refined native perennial milkweed selected for its creamy white to soft ivory flower clusters, offering a lighter color alternative to typical pink forms of swamp milkweed. ‘Milkmaid’ provides the same strong wildlife value—especially for monarch butterflies—with a clean, upright habit well suited to borders and native plantings.

Key features



Width: 24–36 in (2–3 ft)



Height: 36–48 in (3–4 ft)



Flower color: Creamy white to pale ivory



Bloom time: Early to mid summer



Foliage: Narrow, lance-shaped green leaves



Form: Upright, clump-forming



Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial



Growing conditions



Sun: Full sun



Soil: Moist to wet, well-drained; tolerates clay



Water: Moderate to high; prefers consistent moisture



Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9



Landscape use



Native and pollinator gardens



Rain gardens and bioswales



Perennial borders



Meadow and naturalized plantings



Monarch waystations



Notes



Larval host plant for monarch butterflies



Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators



Generally deer resistant



Seed pods add late-season interest



Less aggressive than common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Plant type

Perennial

Height

18"

Width

12"

Hardiness zones

3–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Fall, Late Summer

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Loamy, Well Drained

Landscape use

Container, Foundation

Shape

Broad Upright, Clump

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No