Aquatic Milkweed? I know that one well.

All plants Card

Aquatic Milkweed

Asclepias perennis

Zones 5–13

Growing

If you have a corner of your garden that stays soggy or a pond edge that remains saturated, this milkweed is an ideal candidate. Unlike many other milkweed varieties that rely on wind, this species has adapted to disperse its seeds via water, as they lack the silky fluff found on other types. When sowing seeds, look for areas with organic-rich substrate that stays consistently wet, such as near slow streams, ditches, or the margins of lakes. Because it thrives in such damp conditions, it is particularly well-suited for container gardening, though you should keep in mind that the number of upright stems you can grow will increase as your container size increases.

As a perennial, this plant will return each year and can survive even a hard freeze. To encourage a lush display, ensure the soil rarely, if ever, dries out. While it is a vital host plant for Monarch butterflies, remember that all parts of this plant are toxic to people, pets, and livestock. If you are planting in a landscape, it behaves as a single-stemmed upright plant that can handle everything from full sun to partial shade, making it a versatile choice for low, wet woodlands or shady garden depressions.

Stats
Sunfull sun
Waterhigh
Grow time—
Height1–3ft
Spacing12–24in
Light
Full sun✓
Part shade✓
Shade✓
Traits
Life cycleperennial
Categorywildflower
Growth habitupright
Frost tolerancehardy
Height1–3ft
Spacing12–24in
Days to bloomover 150
Native us✓
Growing
Waterhigh
Drainagewet tolerant
Soil ph min5.5
Soil ph max7.5
Propagation
Seed✓
Cutting✗
Division—
Graft✗
Tuber bulb crown✗
Transplant✓
Container ok✓
Spreadself seeds
Deer resistant✓
Drought tolerant✗
Toxic to
People✓
Pets✓
Livestock✓
Bloom
Lengthover 12wk
Colors
White✓
Yellow✗
Orange✗
Red✗
Pink✗
Purple✗
Blue✗
Green✗
Pollinators
Visitors
Honey bees✓
Native bees✓
Bumblebees✓
Butterflies✓
Moths✓
Hummingbirds✓
Beneficial insects✓
Nectarmedium
Pollenmedium
Larval host✓
Specialist bees✓
Seed for birds✗
Invasive
Statusnone
Regions
Northeast✗
Southeast✗
Midwest✗
Plains✗
Southwest✗
Mountain west✗
Pacific northwest✗
California✗
Hawaii✗
State noxious✗
Escapes cultivation✗
Calendar, zone 7
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sownonoyesyesyesnonononononono
Harvest————————————