New York Ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis
Courtesy Stephanie Bumbrage, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Summary
New York ironweed is late-summer royalty for the pollinator garden! One of more than a dozen species native to North America, this robust perennial is crowned by large flat-topped flower clusters (corymbs) of royal purple disc florets, which pair well with native grasses and golden fall colors. At the SBG, we love the striking combination of ironweed, big bluestem grass and yellow cut-leaved coneflower .
New York Iionweed thrives in sunny areas with moist soil. This low- maintenance wildflower naturalizes easily and is suitable for use in rain gardens, along streams or ponds, moist meadows, or the back of the border.
More Details
FAMILY
Asteraceae (Aster)
BLOOM TIME
August-September
FLOWER
Deep Purple
MATURE SIZE
5-7 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Full sun to
SOIL CONDITIONS
Average to moist soils
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
Ironweed attracts a bevy of skippers, butterflies, moths and native bees who are seeking nectar as the growing season comes to a close. Several wild bees are specialist pollen collectors of ironweed, including the long-horned bees Melissodes denticulata and M. vernoniae. It is also a host plant for caterpillars of the ironweed borer moth, the Parthenice tiger moth, and the red groundling moth. The tall, sturdy stems provide a good spot for butterflies to attach their chrysalides, and winter cover for birds.