Common Ironweed

Common Ironweed, features tall, sturdy stems topped with dense clusters of deep purple flowers. These showy blooms appear in late summer, creating a bold visual impact and serving as a nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators. The plant's lush, lance-shaped leaves add to its strong presence in the landscape. Common Ironweed thrives in moist, fertile soils, making it an ideal choice for naturalizing in wet meadows or incorporating into rain gardens where it can help manage water runoff.

• Cut back to the ground in late winter to promote vigorous spring growth.
• Divide in early spring every few years to control growth and invigorate the plants.
• On rare occasion, consider staking taller stems if they being to flop.
• Consider cutting back main stems of well-established plants by roughly one half in early summer to manage overall height if this becomes an issue.
• Allow seedlings to establish in naturalized areas or remove them to maintain aesthetics in more formal settings.