Tall Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea)

I’m a native of New York state.

 

I attract butterflies and bees and am a late season nectar source.

 

Birds like my seeds.

 

I spread by rhizomes and will form colonies

 

My common name likely comes from “iron-like” plant qualities like tough stems  and rusty colored seed clusters.  (MO Botanical Garden)

 

I like to live in moist areas and along stream banks

 

I get really tall, but you can cut me back in late spring to keep me from getting too tall in your garden.