New York ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis

Family: Compositae

What it is like

Vernonia noveboracensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Moist meadows, pastures & roadsides. Flourishes on slopes in the Edwards Plateau. Well-drained caliche and limestone.

Native to the eastern United States, from Florida to Massachusetts and west to Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia.

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects. The flowers attract butterflies and seed heads attract birds. Background plant for borders - a tall, narrow plant, it is suited for the back of the border or tight spaces. Cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, meadows or naturalized areas.

How it is grown

A very tall perennial herbaceous wildflower reaching 2m/7ft. Prefers average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Tolerating a wide range of soils, but preferring rich, moist, slightly acidic soils. Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8). CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium. Drought Tolerance: Medium.Juglone tolerant. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread.

Propagating it: Seed - sow seeds in fall or provide cold stratification. Germination is usually low so sow Softwood cuttings taken in late spring or by division of clumps. Seed Collection: 3-4 weeks after the blooming period. Store dry in sealed, refrigerated containers.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Possible. Has highly toxic relatives.

Ironweed can be an aggressive weed in moist soils.

Its other names

Local names

Ironweed, New York ironweed

Synonyms

Aster giganteus Hort. ex Vilm. Behen noveboracensis (L.) Hill. Behen praealtum (L.) Hill. Cacalia noveboracensis (L.) Kuntze. Chrysocoma noveboracensis Desf. Chrysocoma tomentosa Walter [Illegitimate]. Serratula caroliniana Mill. Serratula noveboracensis L. Serratula praealta L. V. harperi Gleason. V. noveboracensis (L.) Willd. [Illegitimate]. V. noveboracensis var. noveboracensis. V. noveboracensis f. noveboracensis. V. noveboracensis var. praealta Alph.Wood. V. noveboracensis var. tomentosa (Walt.) Port. & Elliot. V. praealta (L.) Michx. V. praealta var. praealta. V. rugeliana Shuttlew. ex A.Gray. V. tomentosa (Walt.) Elliot. V. tomentosa (Walter) Elliott [Illegitimate].