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Summer's Swan Song Ironweed (Vernonia)

Vernonia x 'Summer's Swan Song' PP#28556

$16.14
$16.14 $18.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  4-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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Summer's Swan Song Hybrid Ironweed (Vernonia 'Summer's Swan Song' PP#28556) attracts all types of pollinators including bees and monarch butterflies with its profuse early fall display of nectar-rich flowers. This vigorous native hybrid has dark purple flowers and attractive olive-green foliage held on red stemmed tips. A nicely compact Ironweed, reaching only 36" tall, 40" wide.

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Description

Summer's Swan Song Hybrid Ironweed (Vernonia 'Summer's Swan Song' PP28556) has been a star performer in the Chicago Botanic Garden trials. 'Summer's Swan Song' colors the garden with deep-purple flowers from early to mid-fall, attracting bees and butterflies (including migrating monarchs). The stem tips are deep red and hold purple-tinged olive-green leaves. This native hybrid is the smallest of the Ironweeds, topping out at only 36” in height, and well suited to smaller-space gardens. It's longer branches form interlocking supports that hold the stems upright, even in wind. Altogether, this is a very lovely and ornamental Ironweed. The plant likes moderate moisture and does well in a wide range of soils including compost-enriched clay-loam. Plant 'Summer's Swan Song' with the burgundy-leaved Shenandoah Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'). Bred by Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Garden. (36” tall x 40” wide)


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 (802) 227-7200 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

Early to mid fall

Advantages

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

Additional information

Mature Height

36" tall

Mature Spread

40" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Low Fertility Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Average
  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Spring / Summer

Growing Zones

  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

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