Many of the flowering plants featured on our website are available through Nature Hills Nursery. Ordering them through this link will support the Cernunnos Foundation and your garden!
Leaves: Alternate, lanceolate to ovate, serrated margins, dark green
Flowers: Dense clusters of small, purple, tubular flowers; blooms from late summer to early fall
Fruit: Small, dry, and seed-like (cypsela), with tufts of hair for wind dispersal
Known Range
Geographical Distribution: Primarily found in the eastern United States, from New York south to Florida and west to Illinois and Texas
Habitats: Moist meadows, stream banks, floodplains, and open woodlands
Care Requirements
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade
Soil: Thrives in moist, well-drained soils; tolerates a range of soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils
Watering: Requires consistent moisture; benefits from regular watering, especially during dry periods
Maintenance: Low maintenance; may require staking in windy areas due to height
Propagation: Primarily by seed; can also be divided in early spring or fall
Pests/Diseases: Generally resistant to pests and diseases, but may occasionally be affected by powdery mildew and rust
Additional Notes
New York Ironweed is often used in native plant gardens and naturalized areas due to its striking flowers and ability to attract butterflies and other pollinators.
The plant’s bitter leaves are generally unpalatable to deer and other herbivores.