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Woolly Ironweed (Vernonia)

Vernonia lindheimeri

$14.39
$14.39 $17.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Sale | Save 20%
ZONES  7-10 | Good to grow! Zone
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Vernonia lindheimeri (Woolly Ironweed) is a showy perennial that thrives where conditions are tough. This resilient plant can handle low fertility soil, dry climates, and resists deer and rabbits. Woolly Ironweed has a gentle upright habit, sturdy stems, and fine fuzzy foliage with an airy texture. Silvery buds open to clusters of bright magenta disc flowers in mid-to-late summer. Blooming for 6 weeks or more, the flowers nourish native bees and other pollinators. A North American native perennial from Texas and Northern Mexico, its common name comes from its iron-like qualities – both durability and seed clusters the color of rust.
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Description

Vernonia lindheimeri (Woolly Ironweed) is a showy herbaceous perennial that gets its name from the fuzzy white undersides of its narrow leaves, giving it a natural defense against deer and rabbits. Woolly Ironweed is native to the sunny hillsides and meadows of northern Mexico and Texas. Plant Ironweed in a sunny location in low fertility soil with good drainage. Water as needed to establish, thereafter it is a waterwise, resilient perennial. Over time, it will naturalize gently, but it is not aggressive. Excellent choice for a rock or alpine garden or xeriscape. Plant with Muhlenbergia rigens Undaunted, Solidago, Aster, and Helianthus for a full palette of fall flowers. It also makes lovely cut flowers. Hardy in zones 7-10, leave it standing over winter and cut back to the ground in spring after new growth emerges.

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

  • Full Sun

Bloom Time

Mid to late summer

Advantages

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

Additional information

Mature Height

24-36" tall

Mature Spread

24" wide

Soil Type

  • Low Fertility Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Growing Zones

  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 1 reviews.

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Reviews

Hardy Addition to a Butterfly Garden

"This plant ""took"", right away, to a dry perrenial bed area, in its first season, without problems or over-tending. The curious deer nibbled at it when it was first planted, but it has been left it alone since then. It appears to be a vigorous,native, gray garden plant and a good addition for the butterflies."

— Kate (5/5)

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