Vernonia Species, Ironweed, Missouri Ironweed
Vernoniamissurica

Family: Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Vernonia (ver-NON-ee-uh)
Species: missurica (mis-SUR-ee-ka)

Synonym:Vernonia aborigina

Synonym:Vernonia drummondii

Synonym:Vernonia michiganensis

Synonym:Vernonia reedii

Category
Perennials

Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Herbaceous

Foliage Color

Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)

Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Hardiness
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)

Where to Grow

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Medium Purple

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details

Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Patent Information

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored