Tall Ironweed
Vernonia gigantea
Also listed as Cacalia gigantea, Chrysocoma praealta
Also known as Giant Ironweed
Climate Match for your location
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A tall native perennial with dark purple flowers clustered at the stem tips, blooming late in the season when few other plants are flowering. It attracts butterflies and adds height and structure to garden borders.
Why grow it
Tall Ironweed extends the flowering season into fall when many native perennials have faded, making it valuable for supporting late-season pollinators. Compared to other tall compositae species like Joe-Pye weed, it tolerates drier conditions and recovers more reliably after cutting or disturbance. Its height (4-6 feet) and structural appeal fill a niche in mid to back borders without requiring staking in most soils.
Watch out for
Plants may take two seasons to establish strong root systems and perform reliably, particularly in amended or very loose soils. In consistently moist conditions, stems can become leggy or lodge; spacing for air circulation and avoiding excess nitrogen fertilizer helps maintain structural integrity. Deadheading before seed set prevents aggressive self-seeding in contained garden settings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A tall native perennial with dark purple flowers clustered at the stem tips, blooming late in the season when few other plants are flowering. It attracts butterflies and adds height and structure to garden borders.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Tall Ironweed grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Tall Ironweed extends the flowering season into fall when many native perennials have faded, making it valuable for supporting late-season pollinators. Compared to other tall compositae species like Joe-Pye weed, it tolerates drier conditions and recovers more reliably after cutting or disturbance. Its height (4-6 feet) and structural appeal fill a niche in mid to back borders without requiring staking in most soils.
Watch out for
Plants may take two seasons to establish strong root systems and perform reliably, particularly in amended or very loose soils. In consistently moist conditions, stems can become leggy or lodge; spacing for air circulation and avoiding excess nitrogen fertilizer helps maintain structural integrity. Deadheading before seed set prevents aggressive self-seeding in contained garden settings.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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