PlantFiles: Tall Ironweed
Vernonia gigantea

This is truly a massive plant with almost flourescent purple blooms. Unfortunately, the bloom period is limited to about three weeks. The "Ironweed" may refer to its roots - even a six inch first year plant had deep, thick, iron-like roots. In full sun, first year growth was over six feet and second year reached over nine feet (see posted image).

I love it. I've had it for several years in my backyard in Sacramento, CA. It hasn't become invasive for me and hasn't reseeded or spread at all. I have it planted in partial shade near a wooden post that a bird feeder hangs from. The color is vivid and bright...new birds have been visiting my yard this year. Perhaps this plant is attracting them, but I do have many other plants that also attract birds.

This lovely wildflower is just coming into its own this time of year (September). Indigenous here - the Piedmont area of VA - it enjoys both the sun & semi-shade of damp to marshy meadow areas. It's extreme height along with the deep royal purple blossoms can be seen from quite a distance.

While it may be considered a noxious weed in some areas, that doesn't seem to be the case around here, where it is rarely found in any sort of massive abundance

This woody weed can get quite tall, often towering over the cattle in the pastures where it thrives. It seems to like moist areas, and even does well in semi-shade. The color intensity of the blooms are awesome, with rich shades of purples. Too bad it is a noxious weed! Some places you can be fined for letting it grow! Jennie