Verbesina

Verbesina

Verbesina alternifolia ( Wingstem )
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 9 ( rarely over 7 ) feet, that is native to rich meadows and open woodlands and bottomlands in North America ( from central Nebraska to Iowa to far northern Illinois to Detroit, Michigan to the north shore of Lake Erie to southeast New York State; south to central Oklahoma to Louisiana to central Georgia. It is endangered in Ontario. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was only known from the Ojibway Prairie in Windsor and the Ohio lakeshore during the 1800s.
The narrow leaves, up to 12 x 2.3 inches, are rough in texture. The foliage is mid-green.
The yellow, daisy-like flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne mid-summer to mid-autumn.
The sturdy upright flower stalks are winged. The seeds are loved by birds.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun to partial shade and is easy to grow on a wide variety of sites.

* photos taken on Sep 19 2014 in Towson, MD

* photos taken on Sep 16 2016 @ Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD

* photos taken on Aug 13 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 24 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 11 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 1 2024 in Columbia, MD

Verbesina virginica ( White Crownbeard )
Also called Frostweed. A rhizomatous tall biennial, reaching up to 10 ( rarely over 6 ) feet, that can form large colonies. It is native to riverbanks and dry open woods in the southeastern U.S. ( from northwestern Oklahoma to central Iowa to southern Indiana to central Ohio to Maryland's eastern shore; south to southern Texas and southern Florida ). It is endangered in Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.
The large ovate leaves are deep green.
The white flowers appear during late summer until autumn frost. They attract butterflies including Monarchs and Great Purple Hairstreaks.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( possibly 5 for Iowa seed source ) in partial shade to shade ( sun on permanently moist soil ) on just about any well drained soil. It is highly deer resistant.