Vernonia Species, Common Ironweed, Prairie Ironweed, Smooth Ironweed

Vernoniafasciculata

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Vernonia (ver-NON-ee-uh)
Species
fasciculata (fas-sik-yoo-LAH-tuh)
Synonym
Cacalia fasciculata
Vernonia corymbosa
Vernonia guadalupensis
Vernonia schweinitzii
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Magenta (pink-purple)
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Vincent, Alabama

Marion, Arkansas

Pensacola, Florida

Lula, Georgia

Carlinville, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Hinsdale, Illinois

Greenville, Indiana

Iowa City, Iowa

Pacific Junction, Iowa

Yale, Iowa

West Monroe, Louisiana

Crofton, Maryland

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Norman, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Pocola, Oklahoma

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Sevierville, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Westfield, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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C
(Zone 5a) | September 2015 | positive

This plant is native to the US plant and was found in the Tallgrass Prairies. They like moist, but not wet conditions; they have done we...Read More

P
Pittsburgh, PA | August 2015 | positive

I have seen this plant flourish in a garden in central Illinois - very hot summers and cold winters. It is an amazing attractor of butter...Read More

R
Downingtown, PA | August 2015 | positive

Ironweeds are good looking, easy to grow, and low maintenance perennials that grow wild in meadows. Native nurseries, as Prairie Nursery ...Read More

C
Lula, GA (Zone 7b) | October 2010 | positive

The plant bloomed well but was too far in the back of the border. So I dug it up to divide it -- and what a job! It was very well rooted ...Read More

M
Saint Paul, MN | September 2008 | positive

I've had it for three years. Not only is it really beautiful, it's also very tough, maintaining attractive foliage until the frost. Aug...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | June 2006 | neutral

My information says this is hardy to zone 3.

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Lychee Shield Bug
(Chrysocoris stolli)
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Featured
Lychee Shield Bug
(Chrysocoris stolli)
Red-naped Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus nuchalis)