Iron Butterfly Vernonia

The showy, fluffy-looking flowers of the Iron Butterfly Vernonia will attract butterflies to your yard while providing a burst of color and texture. The Vernonia lettermannii has tall stems with thin, spindly dark green foliage. The stems are branched near the top and on the terminal end of each branch is a star-shaped purple flower with feathery petals. Enjoy the flowers from late summer into fall. The Iron Butterfly Vernonia has an upright, mounded growth habit and can thrive in dry, rocky soil that is inhospitable to many other plants. This perennial is a good option for challenging environments and forgetful gardeners. Feature this beauty in beds, borders, and mass plantings. The flowers are very welcoming to butterflies, so this plant is a must-have for a butterfly garden. This cultivar is compact, making it a wonderful option for areas with limited space. Iron Butterfly Vernonia is a hardy perennial in USDA zones 4 through 8. Iron Butterfly Vernonia Care Vernonia prefers dry conditions, so plant in average, well-drained soil. Let the soil dry out before giving the plant water. Select an area that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight. Give the plant a dose of balanced fertilizer once each spring. Deadhead the plant to encourage more blooming. Cut the stems back by one-third if the Vernonia becomes leggy. As a herbaceous perennial, trim all growth to a few inches after the first frost. Iron Butterfly Vernonia Spacing Iron Butterfly Vernonia is an upright perennial that will grow 30 to 36 inches tall and wide. Plants can be spaced 30 to 36 inches apart to create a full bed or planting.