Duo of Vernonias crinitas

This duo of Vernonia crinita and Vernonia crinita 'Alba' will delight gardeners looking for late-flowering melliferous and nectariferous plants. These tall perennials bloom from August to October with small pom-pom flowers in deep pink and white. Vernonia crinita mainly thrives in rich, moist soil in full sun. They withstand harsh winters and scorching summers without weakening and tolerate all types of soil, from moist to moderately dry. The Arkansas Ironweed deserves a place in the garden, either at the back of a border or near water features, where it will add a lot of verticality.

The duo consists of:

1 x Vernonia crinita: A perennial plant that can reach up to 2m in height, characterised by its small clusters of deep pink flowers. It usually flowers from August to October.

1 x Vernonia crinita 'Alba': This variety is mainly distinguished by its white flowers, contrasting with the deep pink version. It reaches a slightly lower height, around 1.50m, and blooms at the same time.

These Vernonia crinita will ideally thrive in full sun, in deep, loose, moist to wet, well-drained soil. Plant the taller Vernonia crinita at the back and the 'Alba' variety in front. Allow for 3 to 4 plants per square metre, with a spacing of 60cm between each plant.

To create a harmonious border, combine these Vernonia crinita with plants that have similar needs. Small blue-flowered asters, such as Aster 'Little Carlow', can be planted in the foreground. A tall grass like Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' will blend perfectly with these two Vernonia. In the background, plant late-flowering shrubs such as Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight', a hydrangea with spectacular green and white panicles.