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Vernonia noveboracensis is often confused with:
Eutrochium dubium Eutrochium dubium
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Eutrochium fistulosum Plant
Monarda didyma Flowers
Solidago sempervirens Form

Tall Ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Tall Ironweed:

Phonetic Spelling
ver-NOH-nee-ah no-vee-bor-ah-SEN-sis
Description

Ironweed is an herbaceous native perennial wildflower in the Aster family and is found in all areas of NC. It may grow 5 to 8 feet tall with deep purple flowers that appear in clusters from mid-summer to mid-fall on strong stems. This low maintenance wildflower naturalizes easily and is adaptable to garden conditions.

Ironweed prefers rich moist acidic soils but will grow in average moist to wet soils in full sun. Use in a rain garden, cottage garden, meadow, along streams or ponds or the back of the border. If a shorter plant is desired, prune it back in spring to about 2 feet. It is attractive if blooming occurs at different heights, so prune to different heights for this effect.

This plant was selected as the 2004 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fall flowers#purple flowers#native perennial#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#pond margins#specialized bees#moist soil#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#naturalizes#hairy leaves#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers midsummer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#flowers late summer#border back#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant early fall#flowers early fall#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#NC Wildflower of the Year#perennial#stormwater garden#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fall flowers#purple flowers#native perennial#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#pond margins#specialized bees#moist soil#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#naturalizes#hairy leaves#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers midsummer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#flowers late summer#border back#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant early fall#flowers early fall#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#NC Wildflower of the Year#perennial#stormwater garden#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vernonia
    Species:
    noveboracensis
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and southeastern United States
    Distribution:
    AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, MA, MD, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WV
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds. Members of the genus Vernonia support the following specialized bee: Melissodes (Eumelissodes) denticulatus.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    There is high deer resistance.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Rusty colored seeds August to October
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Showy tiny, fluffy, deep purple, disc flowers (no rays) in loose, 3-4 inch wide, terminal clusters. Blooms from July to September
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, lanceolate and finely toothed with a downy underside and pointed tips. Base is wedge-shaped. 6-8 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Leafy stems green to rusty color are stiff and reach 4'-6'. They may be smooth or have stiff hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Wet Soil