Prairie Ironweed

Scientific name

Vernonia fasciculata

Description

Prairie Ironweed is a perennial wildflower that grows to about 1 m in height. Prairie Ironweed may also be referred to as Common Ironweed or Smooth Ironweed. The leaves are long and narrow with a sharply pointed tip, alternate, and have toothed margins. The showy purple flowers are arranged in clusters with up to 30 flowers present. The flowers are tubular in shape, have 5 narrow spreading lobes, and bloom between July and September. Prairie Ironweed is beneficial to native pollinator species, such as bumblebees and butterflies.

Planting conditions

Prairie Ironweed is tolerant of periodic flooding and prefers moist soils, but will also grow in normal soils. It thrives in sand, loam, or clay soils and requires full sun. Prairie Ironweed can naturally be found growing throughout Manitoba in wet prairies, ditches, marshes, and along lakes shores.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Wildflower
• Plant type:
  • Wildflower
• Height:
  • 1 m
• Spread:
  • 1 m