Jessie Keith
Family
Asteraceae
Botanical Name
Vernonia noveboracensis
Plant Common Name
New York Ironweed
General Description
The long-stemmed, puffy purple flower clusters of New York ironweed offer wild, statuesque beauty to the late summer border or meadow. This North American wildflower is native across much of the eastern United States where it can be found in moist prairies, old-fields, open woods, meadows and roadsides.
The alternate leaves of this tall, herbaceous perennial are long, lance-shaped, dark green and semi-glossy. In mid- to late-summer, the upright stems branch out to form flat-topped inforescences covered with royal purple flowers that look like small, puffy sea urchins. The soft flowers attract butterflies and other insect pollinators and fade to a rusty brown as they die. Puffy white seed heads follow.
Full sun is best for this wildflower, but partial sun will also suffice. Offer plants moist, fertile, relatively neutral soil. New York ironweed tends to self-sow, so unless you want many plants, it is best to deadhead old flowers to prevent seed dispersal. This is a lovely late-season bloomer for naturalistic meadow gardens or informal borders. It looks great mixed with sunflowers and tall ornamental grasses. Birds eat ironweed seed through winter, so be sure to leave the seedheads in wilder meadow plantings.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 3
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
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Native To
United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Purple, Violet
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Fruit Color
Copper, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
