Wingstem, Yellow Ironweed, Actinomeris alternifolia, Ridan alternifolia
Very tall, Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem) is a clump-forming perennial boasting large dome-shaped clusters of bright yellow daisies in late summer to fall. Blooming for 4-6 weeks, they are attractive to bees, butterflies, and skippers. The blossoms are borne atop strongly upright, stiff, hairy stems adorned with our raised ridges, hence the name ‘wingstem’. Each luminous flower, 1-2 in. across (2-5 cm), features up to 10 reflexed, yellow ray florets and a slightly darker yellow center disk. Their real charm is the disk of tiny florets, projecting outward like a pincushion with thick needles. A single one-seeded fruit (achene) is produced by each disk floret. It may be dispersed by strong wind or carried by birds and other animals. The foliage of olive-green, elliptic, or lanceolate leaves, 4-12 in. long (10-30 cm) is rough. Native to sandy or rocky mesic soils of floodplains, woodlands, thickets, ditches, and prairies in eastern and central North America, Wingstem spreads by rhizomes and self-seeds extravagantly, forming colonies over time. It is best suited as a background planting in a native plant garden or wildflower meadow. A good food source for insects and birds, it is not favored by deer.
Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Compositae |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Late), Fall |
Height | 4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 2' - 6' (60cm - 180cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ohio, Missouri, Midwest, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Compositae |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Late), Fall |
Height | 4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 2' - 6' (60cm - 180cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ohio, Missouri, Midwest, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Styles | Prairie and Meadow |
How many Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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