Summer's Swan Song Ironweed (Vernonia)

Vernonia (Ironweed) is big genus of New World wildflowers, with most species native to North America. Members of the Aster family, they are important late season sources of nectar for butterflies.

Preferred growing conditions:

• Plant in most soil types including clay.
• Best positioned in a full sun to partial shade locations.
• Mulch with common mulch materials in dry Western climates. Leave un-mulched in moister Eastern climates.
• Water regularly the first growing season to establish the plant. Most species and varieties like moderately moist to wet soils and should receive regular irrigation in arid climates. Rainfall is generally sufficient in moist Eastern climates.
• Vernonia lindheimeri v. leucophylla is xeric and should be only given occasional deep watering when conditions are dry.
• Deadhead the flowers when blooming is finished. Many species from the Midwest and Eastern US will re-seed aggressively in moist soils. Deadheading is helpful to reduce volunteer seedlings.
• Fertilize lightly in the fall with Yum Yum Mix.

Special comments:

• Leave standing of the winter and cut back hard in early to mid-spring.
• Tall species may need staking unless stem tips are pinched back in late spring/early summer to thicken up the plant's stem structure.