Why Plant Milkmaid Swamp Milkweed?
Beautify your garden and save the monarchs at the same time! Milkmaid Swamp Milkweed is a sensational perennial with intricate snow-white summer blossoms. The cool white blooms stand out from the rich green foliage and go with any color scheme you might have in your garden. Passing butterflies of all types see the flowers and think, “Lunch!” and will stop for some nectar. Monarch butterflies see this plant as food for their young, and females may stop to lay eggs. Plant some extra for them. They need all the help they can get right now!
Swamp Milkweed grows wild all over the eastern U.S., from the Atlantic Coast to the Rocky Mountain States. It does indeed grow in swampy areas (“wetlands” has a nicer ring to it), although it’s perfectly happy in a typical garden situation with supplemental water during dry spells. Usually sporting rosy pink flowers, Milkmaid was selected for its pure white blossoms. Although Milkweed grows all over the country, much of it has been destroyed in recent years for development, and monarch populations have dwindled as a result. You really can make a difference by including this essential monarch host plant in your garden.
How to use Milkmaid Swamp Milkweed in the landscape?
Monarch caterpillars look nothing like the familiar orange and black adults. Caterpillars are striped with yellow, black, and white. If you decide to cut some Milkmaid Swamp Milkweed flowers for a bouquet (which is not a bad idea), check the leaves carefully for baby monarchs.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
How To Plant Milkmaid Swamp Milkweed
Grow Milkmaid 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 Milkmaid 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!
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
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 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.
