Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' – 'Ice Ballet' Swamp Milkweed

'Ice Ballet' Asclepias is a rare and refreshingly elegant version of the indispensable host plant for the monarch butterfly. This native perennial stands out with its clusters of pure white, vanilla-scented flowers, and especially its ability to thrive in moist or even wet soils. It offers a magnificent and ecological solution for difficult spots in the garden, while being a true magnet for pollinators.

Characteristics

• Foliage: The plant develops long, sturdy, straight stems, furnished with deciduous, rich green, long and narrow leaves.
• Flowering: In mid-summer, it produces large, rounded clusters (umbels) composed of a multitude of small, star-shaped flowers. Unlike common milkweed, the flowers of 'Ice Ballet' are pure white and release a delicate vanilla fragrance.
• Fruiting: After flowering, architectural, spindle-shaped seed pods form. In the fall, they open to release seeds attached to silvery silks, extending the visual interest.
• Light: It thrives in full sun or partial shade.
• Habit: It forms a clump with an upright, vertical, and straight habit.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height of 90 to 150 cm (3-5 feet) with a spread of 60 to 90 cm (2-3 feet).
• Soil: It is the perfect plant for moist, wet, or clay soils. It thrives where many other plants would rot.
• Hardiness: Extremely hardy, it faces Zone 3 winters without any problem.
• Resistance: This robust plant resists White-tailed deer and rabbits very well.

Uses

• Types of Use: It is the plant of choice for rain gardens, pond edges, ditches, moist borders, and pollinator gardens.
• Ornamental Features: Its pure white flowers bring a touch of freshness and elegance in mid-summer. The subsequent seed pods are very interesting in the fall and winter garden.

Care

• Watering: Keep the soil moist, especially the first year. It is one of the few perennials that doesn't mind "wet feet".
• Fertilizing: No fertilization is necessary, especially in naturally rich, moist soil.
• Pruning: No pruning is required during the season. Leave the stems and pods in place for winter interest and cut them back to the ground in the spring.
• Planting: Plant it in its final location, as its long taproot does not like to be disturbed.
• Winter Protection: No protection is required for this very hardy native perennial.