Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed

Swamp Milkweed is not the most appealing name, but the Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed is a darling perennial that features outstanding blooms and can thrive in challenging conditions. Pure white lantern-shaped flowers grow in clusters, with each individual bloom resembling a tiny ballerina. Flowers bloom from early to mid-summer. The Asclepias incarnata has dark green, lance-shaped foliage. The fragrant flowers grow on tall stems and attract pollinators, like butterflies. This cultivar is a well-loved host for Monarch butterflies. The Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed is a tall plant and can reach 3 to 4 feet high, so plant near the back of beds or borders. Trim the blooms to use in cut arrangements. This plant thrives in damp conditions, so it is an excellent choice for naturally wet areas like swaps or near streams and ponds. This hardy plant is a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 9. Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed Care This upright plant needs at least 6 hours of sunlight. Soil should be rich, neutral to slightly acidic, moist, but well-drained and not soggy. Water when the top couple of inches of soil begins to dry out. A layer of organic compost around the base of the plant will support healthy growth. Fertilization is unnecessary. Trim away faded flowers for a clean look. The tall stems can be cut back to 6 inches in height in the fall. Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed Spacing Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed will reach 3 to 4 feet tall and spread out 1 to 2 feet wide. When creating a complete and dense planting, Milkweed can be spaced 1 to 2 feet apart.