This perennial holds appeal to gardeners who prefer native plants.
In winter, dead stalks provide sturdy perches for migrating birds.
Even when started from seed, it sometimes blooms in its first summer season.
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This plant needs at least four hours of direct sunlight daily but six to eight hours is better.
If you live in a colder climate, the plant will prefer as much sun as possible.
New York ironweed is likely to perish only when planted in extremely barren, dry soil.
It will also do well in boggy, poorly draining soils where many other plants struggle.
Where the climate is naturally arid, it may require more ground watering.
Fertilizer
New York ironweed does just fine without supplemental fertilizing during the growing season.
Give it a boost by adding a top-dressing of compost in the spring.
Some other ironweed species you should consider:
Tip
SeveralVernoniaspecies are sold as ironweed.
Pay attention to the botanical name when purchasing this plant.
All ironweeds have similar care needs, but the size and growth patterns differ.
At the end of the growing season, garden plants can be cut down to near ground level.
If you want to try it fill any well-draining container with a general-purpose potting mix.
Potted plants will need more frequent watering.
Overwintering
These hardy plants need no special winter protection.
Be patient; by the second year, they should bloom vigorously.
What Do New York Ironweed Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Although the flowers are not fragrant, their nectar attracts pollinators.
Other members of theVernoniagenus, especially the hybrids, may be better choices if rampant spread is a concern.
Increasing the watering volume and intervals may prompt taller growth.
Shorter plants may also be another species in theVernoniagenus.
Several native species of ironweed grow only to 3 or 4 feet in height.
On a larger scale, New York ironweed can protect mass plantings from soil erosion.
It is called “New York” ironweed because New York state was where the plant was first collected.
Ironweed grows almost indefinitely if you divide and replant the root clump every few years.
New York ironweed and Joe Pye weed (Eutrochiumspp.)
are often confused for one another because both aster-family wildflowers like the same environments and look similar.
