Vernonia x ‘Southern Cross’ – Ironweed

Found in a batch of Narrowleaf Ironweed (V. lettermannii) seedlings at Intrinsic Perennial Gardens in Illinois, this variety is clearly a hybrid with a larger, more robust Ironweed, perhaps New York Ironweed or Tall Ironweed. It looks a lot like Narrowleaf Ironweed but is a bit taller with a little bit wider foliage and it doesn’t flop as much. It shares Narrowleaf Ironweed’s tolerance of drier conditions. Attractive to native pollinators and deer-resistant. Combines brilliantly with native grasses like Little Bluestem and Switch Grass.