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Iron Butterfly Ironweed (Vernonia)

Vernonia lettermanii 'Iron Butterfly'

$15.19
$15.19 $18.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Sale | Save 20%
ZONES  4-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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Vernonia lettermanii 'Iron Butterfly' (Ironweeed) is a showy selection of Letterman's Ironweed, a native wildflower from Arkansas. This densely branched perennial has bright green, finely textured foliage and bright violet-purple flowers in late summer. Attracts butterflies and bees galore. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).
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Description

24-36" x 18-24" wide. Here is a distinctive, new-to-cultivation native perennial that provides both flower color and foliar texture in the garden. Selected as a more compact version of a little known wildflower species from Arkansas, Iron Butterfly is a densely branched perennial with finely textured, almost thread-like foliage and bright violet-purple flowers capping the stems in late summer-early fall. A rich source of natural nectar, the plant is extremely attractive to butterflies.

Planting & Care

Vernonia (Ironweed) is big genus of New World wildflowers, with most species native to North America. Members of the Aster family, they are important late season sources of nectar for butterflies.

Preferred growing conditions:

  • Plant in most soil types including clay.
  • Best positioned in a full sun to partial shade locations.
  • Mulch with common mulch materials in dry Western climates. Leave un-mulched in moister Eastern climates.
  • Water regularly the first growing season to establish the plant. Most species and varieties like moderately moist to wet soils and should receive regular irrigation in arid climates. Rainfall is generally sufficient in moist Eastern climates.
  • Vernonia lindheimeri v. leucophylla is xeric and should be only given occasional deep watering when conditions are dry.
  • Deadhead the flowers when blooming is finished. Many species from the Midwest and Eastern US will re-seed aggressively in moist soils. Deadheading is helpful to reduce volunteer seedlings.
  • Fertilize lightly in the fall with Yum Yum Mix.

Special comments:

  • Leave standing of the winter and cut back hard in early to mid-spring.
  • Tall species may need staking unless stem tips are pinched back in late spring/early summer to thicken up the plant's stem structure.

Shipping

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As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Summer

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Native
  • Naturalizes
  • Rock Gardens
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

24-36" tall

Mature Spread

18-24" wide

Soil Type

  • Low Fertility Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Special Groups

  • High Country Gardens Exclusive
  • High Country Gardens Introduction

Growing Zones

  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Ships As

Potted Plant

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

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