Click for previous Image Image 1 of 4 Vernonia glauca Broadleaf Ironweed

Vernonia glauca

Broadleaf Ironweed

Plant Type:

SUN PERENNIALS

Vernonia glauca – Another of the wonderful North American Ironweeds of smaller stature with all the vibrant purple late season flowers, clustered mops that attract bees and butterflies. The Broadleaf Ironweed would be fetching with milkweeds and shorter growing perennial sunflowers, grasses and Joe-pye weeds. This one is not as cold hardy as some of its close cousins. The Broadleaf Ironweed is a clumping perennial and a great wildlife plant. Established pot grown perennial from cutting or division.


Height:

3-5 ft

Spread:

3 ft

Colors:

Purple

Characteristics and Attributes for Vernonia glauca

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Late Summer

Nature Attraction

  • Deer Resistant
  • Butterflies
  • Honey Bees & Native Bees

Light

  • Mostly Sunny
  • Full Sun

Attributes

  • Border
  • Natural Garden
  • Wildlife Garden

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Fertile
  • Draining

Origins

  • Eastern North America

Propagated By

  • Division

Genus Overview: Vernonia

Common Name: Ironweed

These are the Ironweeds with large heads of deep dark violet-purple flowers mid to late season depending upon the species. They are very good wildlife plants as bees and butterflies are drawn to them. We have seen as many as four species of butterflies at one time on a single stand in the late summer. All prefer moist to draining fertile soil in plentiful sun where they will reward you year after year with their welcome displays. They look terrific with other late blooming perennials such as goldenrods, Joe-pye weeds, perennial sunflowers and ornamental grasses. All are pot grown by division.