Back to Rose Garden

Location

Native Garden

Ironweed

Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

• ​Common Name: Ironweed
• Scientific Name: Vernonia gigantea
• Family Name:  Asteraceae
• Origin:  Eastern United States and Puerto Rico
• Height: 4’ to 10’
• Width:  3’ to 4’
• Growth: Fast growing
• Zone: 8 – 10
• Light Needs:  Full sun, part shade
• Salt Tolerance:  Low
• Soil/PH/Texture:  Smooth texture, loam, sand, adaptable PH
• Soil Moisture:  Moist
• Drought Tolerance:  Low
• Pests/Diseases:  Grasshoppers, thrips, and aphids
• Growing Conditions:   Easy to grow and low maintenance
• Characteristics:  Giant ironweed is a species of prairies and other grasslands, old fields, roadsides, savannas and woodlands growing on dry to moist soils. It is especially common in overgrazed pasture
• Propagation:  Cuttings, seeds.  
• Wildlife:  Great pollinator plant and nectar source and will attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
• Facts:  The genus name honors the English botanist William Vernon, who did fieldwork in North America
• Designer Considerations:  From July to October dark purple flowers can be seen flowering in large masses. Flowers bloom at the tops of the plants, so if you encounter a 6 foot tall ironweed plan, be prepared to look up for blossoms. In the garden, plants can be maintained at a shorter height by pruning them in late winter.