The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Vernonia baldwinii is in late summer and early fall, typically from August to October.
western ironweed
Vernonia baldwinii
Western ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) is a multi-stemmed and erect perennial native to the wet meadows of the western US. It grows up to 2 m tall with aristate, alternate leaves and is identified by its sturdy, dark purple stems and showy, small, purple flower heads rising atop the branches. Blooms appear in mid-summer and stay deep into the fall. Western ironweed is drought-tolerant and prefers full sun and medium to wet soil with great drainage. This plant provides nesting sites for many species of birds and makes a great addition to naturalized plantings.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
5 - 9
Flowers:
Purple Flowers
Sun:
Full sun
Fruits:
brown,black Fruits Ready In
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Western ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) should be watered once a week in summer and fall. During the active growing season, deep watering is beneficial as the plant's roots can extend deeply. Water slowly and evenly, allowing moisture to penetrate the soil. Water your western ironweed enough to moisten the soil to a depth of at least 8″. Watering should be stopped during winter, unless the plant is growing in a container. If it is, it should be watered only when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
sunlight
Western ironweed enjoys full sunlight for most of the day. For optimal growth and flowering it wants at least 6-8 hours of direct sun from early morning to late afternoon. If planted in a shady or partially shaded area the growth and flowering will be stunted. It is also important to note that if this plant receives too much sun, during especially hot days, it will not be able to thrive as it is not tolerant of high temperatures.
pruning
Western ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii) is a plant species native to North America. For optimal growth, Western ironweed should be pruned in early spring before buds are visible. Pruning should consist of removing any dead or diseased stems, as well as cutting any long or unruly stems back by 1-third of their height. This will help promote bushiness and produce fresh new growth. Western ironweed is a short-lived perennial and can become overgrown in 3 to 4 years. In such cases, cut back the entire plant by 1-third of its height to encourage new growth and revitalize the plant. Additionally, some flowering stalks can be pruned off to help encourage flowering of new shoots.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
Starts Flowering
Western ironweed typically starts flowering in July.
Harvest Fruit
The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Vernonia baldwinii is in late summer and early fall, typically from August to October.
