Create Your Garden

Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed)

New York Ironweed, New York Flat Tops, Vernonia harperi

Vernonia noveboracensis, New York Ironweed, New York Flat Tops, Vernonia harperi, Purple Flowers, Purple Perennials
Vernonia noveboracensis, New York Ironweed, New York Flat Tops, Vernonia harperi, Purple Flowers, Purple Perennials

A splendid and robust garden plant, Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed) is a tall, clump-forming perennial boasting loosely branched clusters, 3-4 in. across (7-10 cm), of tiny, fluffy, intense purple, finely petaled flowers in late summer and early fall. Each glorious flower head may consist of up to 30-50 flowers. Attractive to butterflies, the blossoms are borne atop stiff, upright stems carrying lance-shaped, deep green leaves. They give way to fluffy, rusty seed clusters that are devoured by hungry birds. As a tall, narrow plant, New York Ironweed is suited for the back of the border or tight spaces and grows well in the native meadow garden.

  • Grows up to 4-6 ft. tall (120-180 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in average, medium to wet soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay, but prefers rich, moist, slightly acidic soils. It will flourish in regular or dry soil too.
  • Excellent choice for beds and border, cottage gardens, bog gardens, rain gardenswildflower gardens, prairies and meadows.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
  • Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and avoid unwanted self-seeding.
  • Propagate by seed, division or softwood cuttings.
  • Native to eastern North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Vernonia
Common names Ironweed
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Midwest, Southeast, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Vernonia (Ironweed)
Not sure which Vernonia (Ironweed) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ (Ironweed)
Vernonia arkansana (Arkansas Ironweed)
Vernonia lettermannii ‘Iron Butterfly’ (Narrowleaf Ironweed)
Vernonia angustifolia (Tall Ironweed)
Vernonia baldwinii (Western Ironweed)
Vernonia fasciculata (Prairie Ironweed)

Recommended Companion Plants

Eutrochium fistulosum (Joe-Pye Weed)
Hibiscus coccineus (Scarlet Rose Mallow)
Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)
Panicum virgatum ‘Hanse Herms’ (Switch Grass)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

How to Create an Enchanting Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Butterflies: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
6 Reasons You Should Create a Butterfly Garden
Vernonia (Ironweed)
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Vernonia
Common names Ironweed
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Midwest, Southeast, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Vernonia (Ironweed)
Not sure which Vernonia (Ironweed) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    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.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    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.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone