Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’ PP28,556
Blooming Time
August
September
October
Exposure
Full Sun
(Image courtesy of Chicagoland Grows) A bushy clump-forming nativar with narrow olive-green foliage on red stems, `Summer’s Swan Song’ produces masses of dark purple, nectar rich, pollinator supporting thistle-like florets from late summer into fall. And, while the flowers are numerous, the sturdy stems stay upright under their weight. Vernonia is durable and tolerant of nearly all soils and can be mass planted as a large-scale ground cover and soil retainer, or paired with numerous other sun-loving perennials.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
4
Blossom Color:
Violet to Purple
Growth Habit:
Clump Forming
Max Height:
3½'
Texture:
Fine Texture
Recommended Spacing:
2' to 2½'
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Seasonal Effect
Moderate Area
Drought Tolerant
Native Hybrid
Butterflies
Bees
Large Area
Sandy Soil Tolerant
Controls Erosion
Features
Masses of dark purple, nectar rich, pollinator supporting, thistle-like florets bloom atop narrow olive green foliage. Native Hybrid.
Landscape Value
Durable and tolerant of nearly all soils, and can be mass planted as a large-scale groundcover and soil retainer, or can be paired with numerous other sun loving perennials.
Care
Watering:
`Summer's Swan Song' Ironweed is very drought tolerant and typically only needs watering during the hottest days of summer.
Fertilizing:
`Summer's Swan Song' Ironweed is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.
Pruning:
`Summer's Swan Song' Ironweed should be enjoyed all winter long, then, during early April before it begins to grow again, it should be pruned or mowed back to ground level.
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