August 22, 2023

Giant Ironweed, Vernonia gigantea

Ironweed is perhaps one of our favorite characters of late summer. One of the first colorful signs signaling fall's leisurely and languid approach here in southern Louisiana. This year its recent blooms in Baton Rouge offer us a glance of hope as we continue suffering through devastating drought and excruciatingly high temperatures. This time of year can always be tough to get through but we usually have our afternoon hurricane season storms to moderate our temps and lock moisture in the air. Things have been rough without these ritualistic rains that so characterize our region.

But alas, back to Ironweed. Ironweed can seemingly live through anything. In theory and through observation, it loves a low wet spot, but we have seen it thrive in dry sunny corners as well.  Ironweed is what the name implies, incredibly resilient. This is what I love about our “ditch plants.” They seem to carry on no matter what - drought, flooding, bizarre freezing temperatures, nothing stops them! Ironweed is one of our most beloved ditch plants. She strikes purple when all has browned, an admonishment of seasonal change around the corner.

This “ditch plant” phrase is an endearing one for me. We use it often, as a team, and it is becoming more relevant in my interactions with clients. To my delight and surprise, the most unexpected clients are now asking me for ditch plants. Often, they do not know the name of the flower they are requesting but they know the plant well. It blooms down that old road they always take to get to their sister's house in New Roads or it lines the railroad tracks at the back of their neighborhood each October.  

Ditch plants are the plants we faithfully find growing along the low ditches that line our roads that are less disturbed. They extend to us immense seasonal perennial color.  If the Ironweeds are blooming that usually means the Goldenrods are too, somewhere nearby, in a bit drier earth. If the Ironweeds are blooming we know the Swamp Sunflowers soon will be bursting in cadence with and amongst them. Purple Asters will be here shortly if they have not yet started to burst. And before we know it the Sugarcane Plum Grass, that speckles Blues Hwy between St. Francisville + Baton Rouge, will be in full bloom and full reach; And THEN Fall has truly arrived. 

These ditch plants teach us so very much about the changing seasons and status of the surrounding environment.  They are hardly touched by man and are left to frolic on their own accord. They bloom when their natural timing and conditions allow and spread where they find ideal. I write about ditch plants in my plant journals more than other plant recordings. I love comparing each year to see the difference in times and conditions that impact their annual displays, and the subtle differences observed with each year.

And a final note on ditch plants: ditch plants (and all spectacular plant displays on Louisiana's country roads) are, quite personally, dangerous. Nothing causes more near-fatal experiences for our team, than wildflower viewing. The abrupt car stops, craning of the necks, and overall distraction they cause, especially those first blooms, are always an exciting time to be riding the winding roads. Those few and fleeting moments with these blooms are nothing short of a most holy blessing.

-Jess

Gorgeous photos by Beth Kleinpeter, followed by an Ironweed roadside stop by Nikki and I.