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Western Ironweed (Vernonia)

Vernonia baldwinii

$11.19
$11.19 $13.99
per Plant - 2.5" Pot
Sale | Save 20%
ZONES  5-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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Western Ironweed is a durable, easy-to-grow wildflower that blooms in late summer with big flat topped clusters of vivid violet-purple flowers. Vernonia is an invaluable late season nectar source for butterflies and bees. A big, robust plant for the back of the border. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).

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Description

30-60" tall x 18" wide (seed propagated). Western Ironweed is a durable, easy-to-grow wildflower from the country's midsection that adds invaluable late summer color to the garden. It is also a butterfly magnet as its showy clusters of vivid purple flowers are a favorite nectar source. Plant Ironweed in humus-rich soil in full sun at the back of a perennial garden or naturalize in a meadow or prairie. Stunning when planted with Goldenrod (Solidago).

Planting & Care

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.

Shipping

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As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Late summer to early fall

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Native
  • Naturalizes
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

30-60" tall

Mature Spread

18" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Clay Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Growing Zones

  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

Overall rating: 4.0 / 5 from 1 reviews.

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Reviews

Maybe better for central Ok, TX, Etc.

"I do like this plant quite a bit, the vivid purple blooms are great, and it blooms for about a month or so in late summer. I think it's a little too dry and windy here for it though as it hasn't been robust so far, although it did bloom both of its first two years. Maybe it would do good in a rain garden, but otherwise I think it's meant for, and would be a garden standout in mixed-grass prairie gardens that get at least 20"" annual precipitation."

— Oscarflip (4/5)

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