Vernonia noveboracensis, or New York ironweed, is a towering moisture loving native perennial with bold clusters of deep violet flowers that bloom late in the season. It adds strong vertical structure to naturalized plantings and is a magnet for butterflies and native bees when few other nectar sources are available.
Height & Spread: 48 - 72 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Moist, rich soils; tolerant of heavy or clay soils
Watering Needs: Moderate to high; thrives with consistent moisture
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant
Native Status
Native to the eastern United States - commonly found in moist meadows, streambanks, and floodplains.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Highly attractive to Monarchs, Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, and American Ladies during their migration and late season feeding.
Bees
- Supports a wide variety of native bees including bumblebees, leafcutter bees, and long horned bees.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 24 - 36 in apart to accommodate tall growth and clumping habit in rain gardens or back of border plantings.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for moist meadows, bioswales, wetland edges, and native restoration projects needing structural height and late season color.
Companion Plants
- Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) - Shares habitat preferences and provides complementary blooms for pollinators.
- Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root) - Offers vertical spires and early summer flowers for season long interest.
- Eutrochium purpureum (Sweet Joe Pye Weed) - Matches the height and bloom time with a softer floral palette.
- Carex stricta (Tussock Sedge) - Provides fine texture and moisture tolerance at the base of tall Vernonia stands.
- Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia) - Adds contrasting blue spikes and thrives in the same wet soils.