Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium
Soil Type: Sand-Loam, Loam, Loam-Clay
Height: 5 - 7 feet
Spread: 2 - 3 feet
Blooms: August, September, October
Root: Rhizome, Fibrous
Habitat: Open woodlands, Woodland borders, Floodplains, River and Pond Shorelines, Marshes
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Along fencelines, Moist Meadow plantings, Naturalization, Pond edges
Complimentary Plants: Helens Flower, Tall Sunflower, Culvers Root, Rose Milkweed, Boneset, Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Wildlife Value: Bees, butterflies and skippers visit the flowers for nectar and pollen. Host Plant: Parthenice Tiger Moth, Red Groundling Moth, and Ironweed Borer Moth
Seed Origin: Elmvale, ON (Return of the Native nursery)
Germination Code: C(60)
Photo credits: #1 by Cbaile19, #2 by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, #3 by Cephas
Vernonia gigantea - Tall Ironweed
Tall Ironweed, also called Giant Ironweed, has showy bright magenta flowers that bloom in late summer to early fall. It is a great way to attract pollinators because it serves as a late-season nectar source. This plant prefers moist to medium soil and can tolerate more shade then other Vernonia species. The tall stature of this plant would make it a great fit for the back of a garden, along a fence, or mixed in with other tall plant species. Ironweeds (Vernonia spp.) are bitter to the taste, so herbivorous animals like deer will avoid consuming it.