Vernonia missurica

The ironweed with the showiest blossoms is also one of the most compact, fitting comfortably in most gardens.  The flowerheads of Vernonia missurica are denser and fuller than those of other species, resembling something more like a liatris than an ironweed.  Of course, unlike a liatris, they occur in branching racemes rather than columnar spires.  Rarely available.  Propagated from seed.  Deep 3.5-inch pots.  Zone 4.  Photo: Mason Brock (Masebrock)

Sun; most soils; 50"x36"; mid to late summer