Vernonia altissima 'Jonesboro Giant'

Jonesboro Giant Ironweed

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Item #: 6548

Zones: 5a to 9b, at least

Dormancy: Winter

Height: 144" tall

Culture: Sun

Origin: United States

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


While driving through Jonesboro, Arkansas in 2000, I spotted this selection of giant ironweed. Most of the clones of Vernonia altissima had fallen over due to their height and flower head weight, but this clone stayed wonderfully upright. Cuttings were taken, and we are pleased to report it has also remained vertical in our garden trials. Vernonia 'Jonesboro Giant', a 2006 Plant Delights/JLBG introduction, forms a clump of 10-12' tall stems, clothed in dark green leaves and topped with large clusters of dark purple flowers starting in mid-August...attractive to hummingbirds. The giant clumps sway a bit in the breeze, but so does the Sears Tower. Warning lights may be required in some jurisdictions...please check local flight path maps.