Silver ironweed in bloom

July 31, 2017


Unirrigated and thriving in decomposed granite, West Texas native silver ironweed (Vernonia lindheimeri var. leucophylla) powers through the depths of summer. I enjoy its silver sheen and purple pom-pom blossoms and its Texas-tough attitude.

For more info, click the link above, which will take you to a newsy page I wrote about this plant a few years ago.

I welcome your comments; please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading this in a subscription email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post.
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2nd garden--2017, Flowers, Summer color, Xeric plants

8 responses to “Silver ironweed in bloom”

  1. Shirley says:
    July 31, 2017 at 12:45 PM

    Another great plant for our climate. I ordered three from High Country Gardens after seeing them in your post and garden. They’ve been planted out in sunny locations for maybe 18 months so no blooms yet but they look great even in this heat. This past spring I ordered three more because I liked the silvery foliage so much even without blooms.

    I also have Woolly Ironweed from Barton Springs Nursery and Texas Ironweed (Vernonia texana) which bloomed beautifully last month.

  2. Kris P says:
    July 31, 2017 at 12:53 PM

    It sounds as though it might like the alkaline-leaning sandy soil here too. I’ve added it to my plant prospects list. Thanks for the tip!

  3. Lisa at Greenbow says:
    August 1, 2017 at 7:15 AM

    Ironweed is one of my favorite wildflowers. I didn’t know TX ironweed had bright silver foliage. It reallly sets off those magenta flowers.

  4. Laura says:
    August 1, 2017 at 1:26 PM

    I love that plant! Did I hear you’re saving seeds? I’d love some if you are.

    • Pam/Digging says:
      August 1, 2017 at 4:42 PM

      I’m will try to save some for you, Laura, although it seems my track record is not very good. I gave some to Shirley in San Antonio last year, but none came up. Maybe the second time will be the charm. —Pam