Vernonia noveboracensis ‘White Lightning’

Description

Vernonia noveboracensis ‘White Lightning’

A little akin to the Eupatoriums, Vernonia is a large clump forming perennial with tall 5-7 foot willowy stems which terminate in late August through Autumn in 4 inch wide cymose heads of white fluffy flowers which sway in the breeze and are a magnet to butterflies. Usually found as a purple flower in the wilds of North America, this variety produces daisies that are made up from starry white flowers. The flower heads lack the enlarged ray petals of some of the daisy family. The foliage of ‘White Lightning’ is relatively refined, a nice dark green, being held well all down the stems right to the base. This unique white from was introduced in 2014.

Vernonias are native to damp situations but despite this they are reasonably drought tolerant in the garden, especially for limited periods. Vernonias are called New York Ironweed, partly because of the rusty colour of the spent flowers and seed heads and the partly on account of the tough stems. Noveboracensis means ‘of New York’ where it may have been first collected, this distinguishes it from the 500 or so other species found around the world. Vernonias are named in honour of the 17th Century botanist William Vernon who collected them in Maryland.