Why Plant Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed?
Have you noticed fewer monarch butterflies around lately? Habitat loss and destruction of their food plants have taken a toll on them in recent years, but you can be a part of the solution. Monarchs must have Milkweed to feed their young, and planting Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed in your garden is a simple thing you can do to help these gorgeous butterflies become as plentiful as they once were. As a bonus, you’ll get to enjoy this Spirit’s sparkling white, vanilla-scented summertime flowers. It’s win-win!
Those fluffy seeds that Milkweeds produce? They saved the lives of our troops in World War II. The silky floss was used to stuff life jackets, because it was waterproof, light, and buoyant. American children were recruited to collect Milkweed pods, and kids answered the call, gathering an estimated 11 million pounds! Swamp Milkweed is native to a large portion of the country, from the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast. This particular selection, Ice Ballet, comes from our German friends (now that the war is over) at Jelitto Seeds. It was introduced in 1992.
How to use Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed in the landscape?
Plant some extra Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed, so you’ll have some for cutting. This variety has particularly strong stems, making it a choice cut flower. Just be sure to check for monarch caterpillars before bringing the blossoms indoors!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
How To Plant Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed
Grow Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed in full sun for best results and irrigate regularly. Do not let it dry out. Plants will be tall and lush in wet soil, a bit shorter and more compact in average conditions. One problem that may affect Ice Ballet is aphids feeding on the new growth. Simply knock them off with a jet of water from the hose. Do not use pesticides on or near this monarch butterfly host plant! Cut plants back in late fall or any time before new growth appears in the spring. Swamp Milkweed is late to emerge, and it’s a good idea to mark its location before it goes dormant for the winter, so you remember where it is.
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water slowly and thoroughly. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions. Remember, Swamp Milkweed likes lots of water.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late year. Continue this for three years to get your plant well established.
How To Prune
Each fall, just before winter sets in clean up the previous years foliage and compost it. Be sure your perennials are mulched well for winter protection. Two inches of an organic mulch will do the job. Consider leaving the plant debris in place through the winter and doing your clean up on the weather warms in the spring. While it doesn't make things neat and tidy, the debris provides overwintering protection for insects, their eggs and pupae including our native Viceroy butterfly.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
