New York Ironweed

The brilliant purple blooms of New York Ironweed signal the end of summer, beautifully contrasting with the yellows of other fall-blooming flowers like Goldenrod. Its nectar nourishes many pollinators, including Swallowtail Butterflies which love to flit from flower to flower. True to its name, ironweed's indestructible stems give the plant its rigid upright form and deer resistance. Control its height by cutting back in early summer, or enjoy the variety and dynamism its taller stature lends to the garden.

• Well-established New York Ironweed can be pruned in half in very early Summer to reduce overall height and promote a bushier growth habit
• If left to grow tall, stems may occasionally benefit from some staking to improve stance
• Deadheading spent flowers can prolong overall bloom period
• Consider dividing well-established plants while keeping an eye out for seedlings if you want to control its gradual spread through your yard