Vernonia lettermannii
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ver-NON-ee-ah let-ter-MAN-ee-eye
- Description
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Letterman’s Ironweed is a herbaceous perennial native to Arkansas and Oklahoma in the aster family (Asteraceae). In its native habitat, it grows on rocky outcrops, floodplains, and river scours. The genus was named after the English botanist William Vernon, and the specific epithet after the American botanist George W. Letterman.
The upright plant can be 2 feet tall and wide. Easily grown in a variety of soils, including shallow-rocky soils. Fertile soils may cause bending and arching stems. For best flowering and to maintain the erect stems, plant in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Once established, it will tolerate occasional flooding and drought. Prune in late winter or early spring. Propagate by division or seeds.
The frilly purple blooms are visited frequently by butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees in mid to late summer.
Plant in pollinator gardens, native gardens, and sunny mass plantings. They are adaptable to slopes and rock gardens. The late-season purple blooms contrast well with yellow goldenrods.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No major pest or disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Iron Butterfly'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Iron Butterfly'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Vernonia
- Species:
- lettermannii
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Arkansas and Oklahoma
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Brown to gray nutlet with a bristly brown to purple colored pappus.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are very tight clusters of tiny tubular purple disc flowers. Blooms mid to late summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are up to 3 inches long and 1/8 inch wide and are finely textured.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Rabbits
