A White-Flowered Native Milkweed for Moist Soil

Ice Ballet Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet') is a refined white-flowering form of our native swamp milkweed, topping tall, upright stems with clusters of softly fragrant, pure-white blooms in summer. Unlike dry-loving butterfly weed, this milkweed thrives in moist soil and rain gardens, where it serves as both a monarch host plant and a nectar magnet for butterflies and bees. An elegant, wildlife-friendly choice for damp, sunny spots in Minnetonka, Lakeville, and Blaine.

Landscape Uses

Use Ice Ballet in rain gardens, pond and stream edges, moist borders, and pollinator and native plantings. It pairs beautifully with Joe Pye weed, blue flag iris, and other moisture-loving natives, and is a key monarch waystation plant.

Best Time to Plant

Plant in spring or early summer. Swamp milkweed emerges late in spring, so be patient and mark its spot.

How to Plant

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, water in well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Choose a spot that stays reliably moist.

Watering

First Year: Keep the soil consistently moist, watering 2–3 times per week.
After Year One: Water regularly; unlike butterfly weed, swamp milkweed prefers steady moisture and tolerates wet soil.
Drip Irrigation: A soaker hose or drip line helps maintain the moisture this milkweed loves.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from Butterfly Weed?
Swamp milkweed thrives in moist to wet soil, while butterfly weed needs dry, well-drained soil. Both are monarch hosts.

Is it a monarch host plant?
Yes, it feeds monarch caterpillars and provides nectar for adult butterflies and bees.

Is it a Minnesota native?
Yes, native swamp milkweed, hardy to Zone 3.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes, deer avoid milkweeds.

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Pair Ice Ballet with pink swamp milkweed, Joe Pye weed, and other moisture-loving natives for a monarch-friendly rain garden.