Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ (Ironweed)

Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ is an exceptional perennial plant, offering a striking presence in gardens and landscapes.

Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’: An In-depth Look

‘Summer’s Swan Song’ is celebrated for its vibrant purple flowers and robust, bushy growth. This cultivar of the native ironweed boasts a more compact and controlled habit than its wild counterparts.

Native: The Vernonia genus, to which ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ belongs, is native to North America. This particular cultivar was developed for specific horticultural traits.

Plant Type and Habit: It is a perennial with an upright, clumping habit. The plant forms a dense mass of foliage, topped with striking flower clusters.

Size: This cultivar reaches about 30 inches in height (75 cm) and spreads approximately 42 inches (105 cm), making it more garden-friendly than some of the taller Vernonia species.

Flowers: ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ produces bright purple, fluffy flower clusters that are highly attractive to pollinators. The flowers are small but numerous, creating a vibrant display. After blooming, it produces small, seed-like fruits, though these are not a significant feature of the plant.

Bloom Time: It blooms for five to six weeks in late summer to early fall, providing a burst of color when many other plants are fading.

Foliage: The leaves are lance-shaped, 5 inches long (12 cm), moderate-to-dark olive green, and have a slightly rough texture. They form a lush backdrop for the vivid flowers.

Uses: Ideal for use in borders, native plant gardens, and pollinator gardens. Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller garden spaces as well.

Hardiness: This cultivar is remarkably hardy and is suitable for USDA zones 4 through 9, tolerating a wide range of climatic conditions.

Pollinators: The flowers attract various pollinators, especially bees and butterflies.

Toxicity: There are no known toxicity concerns for humans or animals with Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’.

Deer and Rabbit: It offers some resistance to deer and rabbits, possibly due to its slightly rough leaf texture.

Drought: Once established, it has a good level of drought tolerance.

Invasiveness: This cultivar is not known to be invasive and typically stays contained within its planting area.

Benefits: Besides its aesthetic appeal, it provides ecological benefits by attracting pollinators. It’s also relatively low maintenance and adaptable to various garden settings. It has proven adaptable to both moist and dry soil and has also exhibited excellent resistance to rust and powdery mildew.

Ironweed Growing Tips

Light: Full sun for best flowering; can tolerate partial shade.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerant of rocky, sandy, or clay soils.

Water: Drought-tolerant once established; water deeply but infrequently. Tolerant of occasional flooding.

Fertilizer: Generally not needed; if soil is poor, use a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring.

Pruning: Deadhead to prolong blooming; leave seed heads for winter interest and bird food. Cut back in late winter to early spring to encourage bushy growth.

Propagation: Easily propagated by division in spring or fall.

Pests/Diseases: Rarely bothered by pests or diseases; watch for rust or powdery mildew in humid conditions.