Some reputable entities describe this plant as tall and weedy, but they are just being judgmental. That negativity has forced those in the horticultural trade to come up with clever and appealing common names, such as Golden Honeyplant. That's a pretty good name; but more often you find this species referred to as Wingstem or some version of Yellow Ironweed, the latter of which we think works well enough.
At a glance, the foliage does have some resemblance to ironweeds, but that's about it. Except that it also attracts a bunch of bees and other pollinators, just like ironweed. And, like ironweed, it is often avoided by deer and rabbits. And ironweeds (Vernonia species) share a space in the Asteraceae family with the wingstems (Verbesina species). But that's about it for now.
It prefers good soil, plenty of moisture, and fairly shady conditions.
Uses: Rain gardens, bees, host plant, deer resistant
Bloom time: August to October
Height: 4 to 8 feet
Space 2 to 3 feet
Sun: Sun to shade
Moisture: Average to moist
Seed: Sow seed outdoors between late November and February or provide at least 4 weeks of cold, moist stratification. The following seeding rates should yield about 15 seeds per square foot.
- 200 seeds per packet
- 9,200 seeds per ounce
- 1 ounce per 600 square feet
