Source: Cbaile19
Vernonia gigantea
Giant Ironweed
Vernonie géante
Obsolete Names
tall ironweed
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Purple
Bloom period: Aug - Sep
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for wetland garden
Ecological Benefits:
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Bee host
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Bee host
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant is endangered
This plant is endangered
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: No
Thrives in Ecozones
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Vernonia gigantea
- Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Ruby Tiger)
- Vanessa virginiensis (American Lady)
Specialized Bees Supported by Vernonia gigantea
- Megachile inimica
- Melissodes denticulatus
- Melissodes subillatus
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- Carex grayi
Gray's Sedge
Carex de Gray - Doellingeria umbellata
Flat-topped White Aster
Aster à ombelles - Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata
Lance-leaved Self-heal
Brunelle commune - Solidago rugosa
Rough-stemmed Goldenrod
Verge d'or rugueuse - Symphyotrichum puniceum
Purple-stemmed Aster
Aster ponceau
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Perovskia Atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
- Lupinus (Non-Native Lupins)
- Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
- Delphinium (Delphinium)
- Melilotus albus) (Sweet White Clover)
- Lavandula) (Lavender)
- Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)
- Liatris (Blazing Star Cultivar)
Sowing Information
Download Sowing Label (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow by February
- Stratification duration: 60 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: October
- Harvesting indicator: Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
- Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
- Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
- Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.