Giant Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea
AKA: Vernonia altissima

Available Sizes: 1G

Max Size: 9′ tall x 3′ wide
Average Size: 5′ tall x 2′ wide

Clay, Loam, Sand
Full Sun, Part Shade
Very Moist, Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Low tolerance of salt wind but not direct spray or inundation

AKA: Tall Ironweed

This perennial flower makes a perfect background for a moist wildflower garden or an area with seasonal flooding. It can bloom summer through fall, especially with late summer deadheading. The flowers come in various shades of purple. To keep it from getting taller than you’d like, you can cut it back in spring to encourage a bushier habit. Easily reseeds.

It attracts butterflies and native bees, and is the larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly. Native bees nest in the hollow stems so be sure to wait to prune until early-late spring; we also recommend putting the debris in an out-of-the-way pile to naturally decay rather than burning, composting, etc. Deer don’t enjoy browsing the foliage which makes it highly deer tolerant.

Additional sources: Atlas of Florida Plants, NC State Extension, Florida Wildflower Foundation, FNPS