Ironweed (Vernonia) - A large plant with as much to offer

[@WildChildMama]

We moved over the winter and I was so pleasantly surprised to see this show up in our natural wet woodlands area. They’re so beautiful! It’s surrounded by Goldenrod in both areas and are always busy with bees and Tiger Swallowtails! I’m hoping for Monarchs soon.

[@Jem544]

Thanks for the comment. Goldenrod and Ironweed are two of my favorites for sure!

[@oliveostrich903]

We had difficulty growing these from seed too but this year we put a whole packet of seeds in water in a small container with a lid, in the fridge for 2 months and it was a success.

[@Jem544]

That's great! Thanks for the comment.

[@bill8985]

We had success but really appreciate your comment and approach. I love our ironweed almost as much as our pollinators! (Oh, yeah, and once established, it does spread readily - almost to the point where you have to cull some of the herd to leave room for other options!) But overall, a fantastic native plant gem.

[@oliveostrich903]

@@bill8985 oh good to know it spreads! It’s blooming here in PA now. It is quite a gem you are right. !

[@jamiekrull7874]

I just saw this this plant growing wild near my home. I inspected it and took pictures. I want to add this to my pollinater bed.

[@Jem544]

Thanks for the comment. I love mine!

[@gypsymelon]

Ha, I’m here because I found it by the road on a drive, picked it, brought it home and asked a Facebook homesteading group to identify it so I could figure out if I can keep my new “pet” or not.😂

[@fw1240]

Ironweeds flowers are THE BEST shade of purple. My property is covered with it.

[@Jem544]

They look great with goldenrod too. Thanks for the comment

[@Hollowsmith]

Ironweed is ridiculously hearty. We're in southern Appalachia on land with so many negatives for growth (sloped, acidic clay, moderate shade, rooty shallow soil, tons of deer, etc.). There's only 4 plants that thrive in our yard with no human intervention: #1 japanese stiltgrass, #2- fireweed, #3- ragwort, and #4- ironweed.

[@Jem544]

I love my Ironweed.

[@moobocksniffle]

I live in Ohio and there's sooooo much behind my house.. this one, then an almost sunflower looking ones, tons of fleabane aster and vervain and just TONS of plants that are beneficial.. discovering that there's soooo many wild edibles and herbs.. I was always taught weeds are bad because they're toxic. Kills me how many useful plants I've destroyed... subscribed!

[@Jem544]

Thanks! It's a wonderful journey you're on now. I still excited when I find a new native plant and learn about it's usefulness to wildlife and people.

[@raphlvlogs271]

perfect herb for rain gardens.

[@crataeguscrusgalli]

As noted in Hawke's (2020) "A Comparative Evaluation of Ironweeds (Vernonia spp.)," ironweed can be very prone to powdery mildew. Like Hawke, I have found that the susceptibility for powdery mildew can vary considerably between individual specimens and different species.

[@Jem544]

Thanks for the comment. I haven't encountered powdery mildew on any of mine so far.

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

They grow just fine against my brick garage wall in full hot sun. We're in our third year of extreme drought and i havent watered them. Mine do flop.

[@Jem544]

İ love mine. Thanks for the comment

[@tatianalightown4916]

Mine is about 12 feet tall already…it’s just crazy, with this grow rate I won’t be able to see flowers up there 😅 thinking about topping it off at this point

[@Jem544]

Thanks for the comment. Topping it off is always an option. I might do top a couple of mine off too...

[@katiekane5247]

Which season have you had your best luck with transplanting? I'm in N. Georgia & know a source & could give it a good home. Makes me cry to see the county cut these down in full bloom 😔

[@Jem544]

Thanks for the comment. I love transplanting in Fall best. I hate seeing them get cut down too.

[@katiekane5247]

@@Jem544 post bloom you whack & dig?

[@Jem544]

@@katiekane5247 yea. Try to get as much root as you can. Good luck 🤞

[@katiekane5247]

@@Jem544 thank you!

[@BobbyMammoth]

Hi there, do you know if ironweed will bloom first year from your experience? I have two small ironweeds I winter sowed they are just now starting to pick up a little bit and put on some growth, not sure if they will bloom this year or not

[@Jem544]

First year probably but they're worth the wait! Thanks for the comment

[@ferg2914]

Just planted 4 NY Ironweeds at back or my large bed, next to Joe Pye. I have several self-seeded Golden Rods coming in, also not yet blooming. Thinking of transplanting in front of Ironweed. How tall does Golden Rod get? Thanks!

[@Jem544]

They can get pretty tall depending on the species. Canadian can get over 5 ft. There are some others like showy goldenrod that stays closer to 3 ft. You can head them back in early spring to keep them shorter.

[@foodog777]

I have 2 of these ironweed. They’re about 4’ tall in garden soil, starting to lean and their purple blooms look like will all fade in early September. Idk whether to cut them back or just leave them be in my pollinator garden until winter. Any suggestions? Great video and plant.

[@Jem544]

Thanks for the comment. You could try staking them until they are finished flowering then cut them back. Just a thought.

[@frankeinstein-q4c]

leaf cutter bees enjoy this plant

[@kevinmccoy3653]

I'd have to say I find this plant disappointing as far as pollinator attracting goes-- hardly anything comes to the flowers, just a couple of carpenter bees, and fairly short bloom time. My Showy Goldenrod is the opposite- tons of bees of all types are coming to it as I write this mid-September. I'm definitely going to explore more Goldenrods for my plantings.

[@Jem544]

I love Goldenrods and have about 4 species. As far as the ironweed goes, I get a lot of action and the one featured in my video is still blooming. Thanks for your feedback and keep planting! 😀

[@SableRoses]

The butterflies, bees, and mantises love vernonia gigantea here in eKY.

[@pattywykes5873]

I love these plants. I’m wondering, are they perennials or annuals?