| Size | 4" Pots for Preorder Only, Trade Gallons, Two Gallons, Three Gallons |
|---|
Vernonia gigantea-Giant Ironweed(B&B.DR.DRGHT.H.MTH.N.NB.OP)
$15.00
Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                       (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies
(BTF)-Butterflies               (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant
(DR)-Deer Resistant           (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant
(EC)-Erosion Control          (EVR)-Evergreen
(FC)-Fall Color                 (FRG)-Fragrant
(GRD)-Groundcover           (H)-Host plant
(HMR)-Hummingbirds        (M)-Mammals
(MTH)-Moths                  (N)-Nectar
(NB)-Native Bees              (NST)-Nesting Material
(OP)-Other pollinators         (RR)-Rabbit Resistant
(SHWY)-Showy                (SPC)-Specimen Plant
Giant ironweed is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae or daisy family. This plant has a tall narrow habit that appears in the spring. The plant usually grows from 3 to 5 feet tall, but it has been known to grow to a height of 12 feet. Lavender, magenta, or deep purple flowers appear in late summer to early fall. The seeds are tiny achenes that have tufts of bristles that are easily dispersed by the wind.
Giant ironweed is native to the southeast and the central United States and central Canada. It may be found naturally in prairies, grasslands, floodplains, woodlands, along roadsides, and near stream banks or forests edges.
Giant ironweed prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained moist to wet soils. They are tolerant of all soil pH and grow well in a mixture of loam, clay-loam, or sandy-loam soils. Cutting back the plant early in the season will reduce its height. Deadheading of the spent blooms will encourage continued flowering. This plant is easily propagated by seed or division. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own.
Host plant for the American Lady butterfly and the Ironweed Borer Moth.
