Zone: 3-8
Height: 60-120 cm. (2-4 ft.)
Spread: 60-90 cm. (1-3 ft.)
Growth: Erect bush with multiple sturdy stems
Flower: Clusters of lavender-pink and white small stars; long bloom period late summer into fall
Foliage: Medium green, small lance-shaped leaves (food for Monarch butterfly caterpiller)
Environment: Full sun to shade; will tolerate wet to dry soils
Seed: Large, ornamental seed pods split open to release brown seed with silky parachutes that drift with the wind (will reseed prolifically where happy)
Garden locations: Sunny to shady perennial beds, boggy areas, Butterfly garden
Other: Easy to transplant young with multi branched root
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp milkweed)
Critical habitat for Monarch butterflies; avoided by deer and other herbivores. Asclepias is very showy and low maintenance.