Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed)

Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed) is a tall perennial boasting branched clusters of tiny, fluffy, vivid purple to magenta disks in mid-summer to early fall. Each glorious flower head may consist of up to 30-60 disk florets. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and skippers, the blossoms are borne atop stout, upright, hairy stems clad with narrow, lance-shaped, deep green leaves, 7 in. long (17 cm), slightly serrated along the margins. The lower sides of the leaves are covered in dense white hairs. The blossoms give way to fluffy, rusty seed clusters that are dispersed by the wind. Native to the prairies of the midwest south to Texas and Georgia, Missouri Ironweed is typically found in damp areas such as river bottom woods, fens, sedge meadows, and wet prairies. As a tall, narrow plant, Missouri Ironweed is suited for the back of the border or tight spaces and grows well in the native meadow garden. Attractive when in bloom, Missouri Ironweed is one of the best attractors of late summer butterflies.

• Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm). The root system is densely fibrous and rhizomatous and will form offsets to create a small colony.
• Performs best in full sun in average, medium to wet soils. Tolerates periodic flooding.
• Excellent choice for borders, cottage gardens, bog gardens, wildflower gardens, prairies, and meadows.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
• Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and avoid unwanted self-seeding.
• Cut back stems in late spring to reduce plant height if desired.
• Propagate by seed, cold stratification required.
• Native to central North America.