Western Ironweed
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Vernonia baldwinii
Common names include Baldwin's Ironweed, Ironweed
Western Ironweed is common to many drier areas in the Great Plains. It features showy magenta-purple flowers in loose clusters which grow at the top of stems up to 5' tall. After the flowers fade, they are replaced by rusty-colored seed heads. Its rough, serrated, lance-shaped leaves usually reach 4"-7". It gets its "ironweed" name from the color of its seedheads, as well as the from rusty color to which its flowers sometimes fade.
Western Ironweed serves as a late-season nectar source for many pollinators, including native bees and butterflies. It is also a host plant for several moth species, including the Ironweed Borer Moth, Red Groundling, and Parthenice Tiger Moth. It tolerates a variety of soils, including sandy and clay, and is deer-proof as well due to its leaves' bitter taste. It is drought tolerant once established.
Height: 3'-5’
Spread: 1’-1.5’
Bloom: July-November
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low
Zone: 4-8
Origin: Texas, central U.S.
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 10-15 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
