Asclepias incarnata, Ice Ballet

Description
Atop 3-3.5 tall stalks with lance-shaped, dark-green 3-6” leaves, flowers are a magnet to hummingbirds and butterflies. After the flowers come attractive seed pods (to 4″ long), which release silky-haired seeds borne by the wind. Flowers stay fresh in a vase. Western milkweed variety’s compact, clump-forming plants are easily grown in medium to wet soil in full sun.

How to Grow
Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their germination. 

Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For perennials, an organic mulch of aged bark or shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time.  Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.

Careful watering is essential in getting perennials off to a good start. Water thoroughly at least once a week to help new roots grow down deeply. Soil should be damp at about 1 inch below the soil surface. You can check this by sticking your finger in the soil. Water early in the morning to give all leaves enough time to dry.  One inch of rain or watering per week is recommended for most perennial plants. You can check to see if you need to add water by using a rain gauge.
Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary.  Good air movement is also important.

After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rots.

“Deadhead”, remove spent flower heads to encourage continuous flowering and prevent seed development.

Remove and discard foliage after a hard frost in fall. 

In colder regions, apply another layer of mulch (1-2 inches) after the ground freezes in fall. Evergreen boughs (from Christmas trees) provide additional protection. Remove this mulch in the spring.

Asclepias does not divide well as it has a tap root. To propagate, wait until the plant seeds itself (in this case do not remove spent flowers) and transplant seedlings when they are young.

Tips
Many gardeners do not cut back perennial flower seed heads in the fall, but wait until early spring before the new foliage appears. This provides food for wildlife over the winter.
For flower arranging, cut when blooms are 2/3 open.
Note that butterfly weed is not the same as milkweed as it does not provide food for monarch butterfly larvae, but the flowers do attract the pollinating adult butterflies for nectar.