Vernonia angustifolia aka Tall Ironweed

Vernonia angustifolia is a wildflower in the daisy family. It is a perennial, so it lives for years. Common names include narrow-leaf ironweed and sandhills ironweed. It comes from the southeastern United States. Its range spans Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. It also grows in both Carolinas. It lives in sandy pine woods and mixed hardwood forests. It grows on sandhills and roadsides, too. It also lives in woods where disturbance has changed the site. André Michaux first described this species in 1803.

Plants grow in upright clumps with a fine texture. They reach 2–4 feet (0.6–1.2 metres) tall. Clumps spread 1–2 feet (0.3–0.6 metres) wide. They grow at a medium rate. Straight, green stems branch and bear fine hairs. Grooves run down the length of young stems. Narrow, simple leaves grow in turn along the stems. The leaves range from medium to dark green. Each leaf has a rough surface and smooth edges. Leaves measure 0.25–0.5 feet (0.08–0.15 metres) long. Their slim shape gives the plant its narrow-leaf name.

Flower heads bloom from June through September. Their colors range from purple to magenta. Each small head holds nine to thirty disc flowers. The heads grow in branched groups called corymbs. Many small flowers give these groups a soft look. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms. Dry fruits called achenes form from September through October. Plants can spread by seed without a gardener's help. Remove spent heads to help curb this spread. This can also help the plant grow more flowers.

Plant in full sun or partial shade. Give the roots sandy soil that drains well. The plant grows in loam, too. It copes with dry soil from time to time. Once established, plants withstand drought and suit dry gardens. North Carolina State Extension lists USDA zones 7a through 9b. Grow new plants from seeds or stem cuttings. This plant needs little care. Reports list no major pest or disease problems.

Use it in meadows or plant it in woods. It also suits spaces where plants can spread on their own. Its height suits the back of a garden border. Use it in native, rock, and pollinator gardens, too. Groups add summer color and feed the insects that visit. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems. Cut these stems to 1–2 feet (0.3–0.6 metres) high. Leave what remains standing until the stems break down.