Native Perennial
Sun Exposure: Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium to Wet
Height: 3'to 5'
Bloom Time: July - August
Bloom Color: Magenta purple
Tolerates: Deer, wet soil
Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Pollinator benefit: Good nectar source for all pollinators; Xerces Soc.: Special Value to native bees
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Ironweed (Vernonia missurica) Although the name is not appealing, many gardeners love it because the flowers are beautiful! It is a tall, sturdy plant that usually grows 3-5 feet tall but can sometimes reach up to 6 feet. It has leafy stems that branch out at the top. In late summer and fall, it produces dense clusters of fluffy, magenta-purple flowers. These flowers turn into rusty-colored seed clusters. The name "ironweed" comes from the plant's tough stems and the rusty color of its seeds and faded flowers.
Butterflies love these flowers. Ironweed can be used in cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, prairies, or native plant gardens. It also works well as a background plant in garden borders and is suitable for rain gardens.
info from www.missouribotanicalgarden.org