Family

Asteraceae

Description

New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) is a tall, upright perennial native to wet meadows, streambanks, and lowland fields of the eastern United States. Its vivid purple flower clusters appear in late summer and early fall, providing essential nectar for migrating monarchs and a variety of late-season pollinators. Despite its height, it stands well without staking, thanks to strong, fibrous stems that give the plant its common name.

 

Vernonia noveboracensis thrives in full sun and moist, fertile soils but will adapt to drier conditions once established. It is well-suited to naturalistic plantings, rain gardens, and pollinator borders, where it adds vertical structure and late color. Though bold in scale, it blends well with other native perennials such as joe-pye weed, boneset, and goldenrod.

Bloom Time

August to October