Vernonia fasciculata
Common Ironweed
NATIVE! Great hot color for the back of the border in late summer when everything else blooms yellow. Dense rounded clusters of vivid magenta blooms atop erect stalks with pointed, finely toothed leaves to 6_ long. Compliments Joe Pye Weed and they both really shine behind Echinaceas and Rudbeckias. Native habitat is damp prairies. Common name refers to the tough fibrous stems which grazing animals won't eat. Great butterfly attractor.