Genus
Vernonia
The Vernonia genus in the Plotwright catalog — 2 species: New York ironweed, Prairie ironweed. Open any for hardiness, native range, wildlife value, and growing guidance.
Vernonia noveboracensis
New York ironweed
A tall native eastern US perennial with deep purple-magenta flower clusters in late summer — among the most striking color in the native fall meadow palette. Tall and tolerant of wet feet; pairs visually with joe-pye weed + goldenrod for an iconic eastern wet-meadow trio.
Vernonia fasciculata
Prairie ironweed
A tall, clump-forming North American prairie perennial topped in late summer by broad, flat clusters of intense red-purple flowers. Native to the moist tallgrass prairies, wet meadows, and streambanks of the central United States and prairie Canada, it stands 3-6 feet on stiff, unbranched stems and demands full sun with consistently moist soil. Its late-season nectar makes it an outstanding pollinator plant — a fueling stop for monarchs heading south and a magnet for native bees and butterflies when little else is blooming.