Vernonia gigantea
tall ironweed
Asteraceae (Compositae)
Plant Specifics
Form:
flower
Size:
4-6 ft
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
purple
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
winter dormant
Noted For:
Showy Flowers
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Back of a moist wildflower garden. Can also use on the edges of natural or created wetlands and streams.
Considerations:
Light:
Full Sun, Part Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Loam
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B
Ecology
Wildlife:
Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars
Nectar attracts butterflies and native beens.
Larval host for spring azure butterfly.
Native Habitats:
Exposed sand and gravel bars of streams during low water, stream banks, hydric to wet mesic pine flatwoods. Rich soils. Ruderal.
