Asclepias incarnata White seeds - Milkweed

The seeds of Asclepias incarnata 'White' allow you to to grow this ornamental perennial with an upright habit at a lower cost, appreciated for its generous and fragrant summer flowering. Its slender stems bear umbels of pure white flowers, which elegantly contrast with its narrow, bright green foliage. It forms a bushy clump particularly suited to naturalistic gardens and damp areas. Hardy, it prefers a fresh to moist soil, rich in organic matter, in a sunny or lightly shaded position. Highly valued for attracting butterflies and beneficial insects, it can be grown in the ground near a pond, in a rain garden, or even in a large pot, provided the substrate is kept adequately moist.

Asclepias incarnata, or swamp milkweed, formerly classified in the Asclepiadaceae family, is now grouped within the Apocynaceae family. It is found in eastern Canada and most states of the United States, associated with damp, open, or lightly shaded environments. It is primarily found in marshes, ditches, and along the banks of streams and lakes. Asclepias incarnata 'White' forms a dense clump of thick, sturdy stems, reaching 90 cm to 1.20 m in height and 60 to 90 cm in width at ripeness. The leaves are medium green, elliptical to ovate, 7 to 15 cm long. From July to September, cymes appear, in the form of an umbel, 5 cm in diameter, grouping together pure white flowers. Nectariferous, they are visited by certain butterflies and other bees. After pollination, fruits form in pairs, reaching 12 cm in length, borne on the end of an inclined peduncle. At ripeness, these fruits split open to reveal numerous seeds equipped with egrets that are dispersed by the wind. With its nectariferous flowers, swamp milkweed attracts many insects. It is notably the host plant for the Monarch butterfly across the Atlantic.

In a garden bathed in light, Asclepias incarnata 'White' stands elegantly, its brilliant white umbels seeming to float above soft green foliage. In fresh soil, to compose a harmonious and attractive scene for pollinators, it can be paired with Echinacea 'White Swan', which large white daisies with golden centres echo the purity of the milkweed's flowers. In the background, Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' adds graceful verticality with its blue-green leaves and airy inflorescences, while at the border, Chelone glabra offers late flowering and dense foliage, extending visual interest into autumn. These combinations create a lively and evolving picture, where each plant highlights its companions while supporting local biodiversity.