Description

A tall, erect, coarse, clump-former. Slightly rough stems bear lance-shaped, deep-green leaves. Fluffy, deep reddish-purple, small flower heads occur in large, loosely branched, flat-topped, terminal clusters. Flowers give way to rusty seed clusters. An aggressive reseeder. Somewhat suggestive of Joe Pye weed before bloom, except leaves of ironweed are alternate and those of Joe Pye weed are whorled. V. noveboracencis typically has more flowers per head than tall ironweed (V. gigantea), which I am growing from seed (not yet available – look for it later this summer). Tolerates wide range of soils, but prefers rich, moist soils. Remove flower heads before seed develops to avoid unwanted self-seeding (although birds do eat the seeds – a conundrum which I wrestle with myself). Overall plant height may be reduced by cutting stems back nearly to the ground in late spring. Height: 4-6 ft. Spread: 3-4 ft. Family: Asteraceae Bloom time: August to September Sun: full sun Water: medium to wet Naturalize, rain garden Deer resistant photo credit: SB Johnny