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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.
Zones
4 - 9
Advantages
Bee Friendly
Attract Butterflies
Attract Birds
Deer Resistant
Native
Rabbit Resistant
Light Requirements
Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
Full Shade
Water Tolerance
Low-Water
Mature Height
36" tall
Mature Spread
40" wide
Bloom Time
Early to mid fall
Shipping Details
Shipping begins the week of August 28th, 2023 Learn More…
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
SKU
HC017407
USDA Hardiness Planting Zones
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low
temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will
survive the winter temperatures in your area.
If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack
of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
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)
More Information
SKU
HC017407
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Common Name
'Summer's Swan' Song Ironweed
Botanical Name
Vernonia x 'Summer's Swan Song' PP#28,556
Patent
PP#28556
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Requirements
Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade, Full Shade
Flower Color
Purple
Mature Height
36" tall
Mature Spread
40" wide
Bloom Time
Early to mid fall
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type
Average Soil, Sandy Soil, Low Fertility Soil, Well-Drained Soil
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.
View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
Zone
Shipping Status
Zone 2
Shipping begins the week of August 28th, 2023
Zone 3
Shipping begins the week of August 28th, 2023
Zone 4
Shipping begins the week of August 28th, 2023
Zone 5
Shipping begins the week of September 4th, 2023
Zone 6
Shipping begins the week of September 11th, 2023
Zone 7
Shipping begins the week of September 18th, 2023
Zone 8
Shipping begins the week of September 25th, 2023
Zone 9
Shipping begins the week of October 2nd, 2023
Zone 10
Shipping begins the week of October 9th, 2023
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 spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-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 toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.
Shipping Rates
Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door.
US Shipping Charges
Merchandise Total
Shipping Charges
Up to $19.99
$8.99
$20 to $34.99
$10.99
$35 to $49.99
$12.99
$50 to $74.99
$14.99
$75 to $99.99
$16.99
$100 and Over
$18.99
Canadian Shipping Charges
Merchandise
Shipping Charges
Up to $24.99
$14.95
$25 to $49.99
$19.95
$50 to $74.99
$24.95
$75 to $99.99
$29.95
$100 and Over
$39.95
We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.
 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.)
