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Botanical name: Verbesina alternifolia
A tall native open woodland perennial that produces yellow daisy-like flowers typically from August through October. Its common name comes from the wing-like leaf tissue. Native to Dallas County and other North Texas counties. Root hardy below 10F. Has a special value to native bees.
Other names: Wingstem
| Hardiness zone | 4a |
|---|---|
| Flower color | yellow |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Mature height | 3-8ft |
| Spread | 2-6ft |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | Texas Native |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Yellow Ironweed features bright yellow daisy-like flowers with drooping petals. Enjoy blooms typically from August through October. The flowers can sometimes appear without a ray of petals and only the disk, hence the name of yellow ironweed. Its common name 'Wingstem' comes from the wing-like leaf tissue that extends beyond the leaf base and down the stems.
Yellow Ironweed is a great choice for naturalized areas, pollinator gardens, cut-flower, and rain gardens.
It attracts a number of pollinators such as bumble bees, butterflies, skippers, moths, and a large number of native bees. Larval host to the gold moth, summer azure butterfly, and the silvery checkerspot. The flowers of the Verbesina genus are a nectar and pollen source for several uncommon specialist bees. Beekeepers refer to it as the "Golden Honey Plant". Seeds are also enjoyed by birds.
Yellow Ironweed is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Cut-Flower Gardens, Rain Gardens, Meadows, Wildlife Garden, Butterfly Garden, Naturalizing and Woodland Gardens
Yellow Ironweed grows to be 3-8ft tall at maturity, with a spread of 2-6ft wide. This native perennial can be found growing in wood margins, meadows, thickets, and near streams.
This plant can be grown in full sun to part shade. Thrives in organically rich soil, consistently moist, but can tolerate occasional dry conditions. Grows well from seed.
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