Vernonia glauca (Upland Ironweed)

Also known as Upland ironweed, or Broadleaf ironweed, Vernonia glauca is a moderately tall upright species, blooming with vivid purple-red clusters of flowers. It is better adapted to dry or average soils than its relative, the New York Ironweed, and may be a better suited species for average gardens. Additionally, Upland ironweed is well adapted to poor and rocky soils, and areas of steep topography, such as hillsides, bluffs, and slopes.

Upland ironweed is a late season nectar and pollen source for many butterflies and bees, and Vernonia supports specialist bees, such as the Denticulate Longhorn Bee (Melissodes denticulatus), which only feeds on the pollen of this genus.

Ironweed is a host plant to several insects, such as the Crossline Skipper, the American Lady butterfly, and the unusual looper caterpillars of the Wavy-Lined Emerald, which afixes parts of the flowers it eats to itself as camouflage. Songbirds such as finches and sparrows eat the wind-disbursed seeds.

Ironweed has a non-aggressive clumping habit, but can spread by seed, though hardly with any aggression. Ironweed's dense root system is great for soil retention and erosion control, but difficult to relocate once fully grown.

Pairs well with many native grasses, such as Andropogon virginica (Broomsedge) or Andropogon ternarius (Splitbeard bluestem), Eupatorium hyssopifolium, and other plants that are adapted to drier sites.