Every garden deserves one carefree, sun-loving plant that can be relied upon to flower heavily just when most needed — in the case of many of us, late summer. That is exactly what this native Vernonia offers. In addition to being a butterfly magnet, it is the most free-flowering selection we have ever grown, with masses of magenta-purple blooms above fresh green foliage during the dull garden days of late summer.
Introduced by Dr. Allan Armitage of the University of Georgia, this is a selection of V. lettermanii, a species native to Arkansas, and its foliage may remind you of another native — Amsonia hubrechtii. Needle thin, brightly colored, and airy, it is gorgeous all by itself in spring and the first part of summer. But when the buds begin opening and the butterflies begin flocking, 'Iron Butterfly' is nothing short of spectacular!
This perennial reaches about 2 to 2 1/2 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide in full sun to light shade. In the wild it is often found in moist meadows, yet once established it tolerates dry soil and drought conditions. Best in the sunny border for maximum flowering. Enjoy this beautiful and too-seldom-seen American classic! Zones 4-9.
