Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Soil Type: Sand-Loam, Loam, Loam-Clay
Height: 4- 5 feet
Spread: 2 - 3 feet
Blooms: July, August, September, October
Root: Fibrous, Rhizomatous to create a small colony of plants
Habitat: Prairies and Meadows, River and Pond Shorelines, Fence rows
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Moist Meadow plantings, Naturalization, Deer Resistant
Complimentary Plants: Boneset, Ohio Goldenrod, Helen's Flower
Wildlife Value: The flowers attract long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Host Plant: Parthenice Tiger Moth, Parthenice Tiger Moth
Seed Origin: Winona, MN (Prairie Moon seed supplier)
Germination Code: C(60)
Photo credits: #1 by KatieLMiller , #2 by Elaine Wolshock/Matthew Fook
Vernonia missurica - Missouri Ironweed
Missouri Ironweed is a great late season blooming plant with magenta flowers and a strong sturdy stem. This is an attractive plant when in bloom, and one of the best attractors of late summer butterflies. This plant occurs in more moist soil enviroments but also does well in traditional garden soil and can even become tolerant to drier conditions as the plant matures with deeper roots. This plant offers great winter season interest with the rusty coloured fluffy seadheads. Ironweed has excellent upright form in the garden and the plant height may be reduced by cutting-back the stems in late spring, also known as the "Chelsea Chop".