Iron Butterfly Ironweed

Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly'

$55²¹

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Native, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Heat Tolerant, and Drought resistant

Specifications

Botanical Name

Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly'
Height

1-2 ft
Width

1-2 ft
Growing Zones

4-9
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Purple
Leaf Color
- Green
- Yellow
Native

Yes
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Late Summer, Early Fall
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, OR

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant this ironweed in full sun, ensuring it gets at least 6 hours of direct light daily. While it can survive in partial shade, insufficient sun will cause the stems to stretch, weaken, and eventually flop over.
Soil: This plant prefers average to lean soil with good drainage and tolerates rocky or clay conditions well. Avoid planting it in highly amended, rich soil, as an abundance of nutrients often makes the stems leggy and unable to support the weight of the flowers.

Watering Requirements

Water consistently during the first growing season to help the root system establish, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once established, Iron Butterfly is highly drought-tolerant and handles dry spells well; erratic watering or overwatering in rich soil can stress the plant and lead to floppy growth.

Pruning Tips

Since this herbaceous perennial blooms on new growth, you should cut the old stems all the way down to the ground in late winter or early spring before fresh shoots emerge. If you want an even more compact habit or wish to delay blooming slightly, you can shear the foliage back by one-third in late spring (around late May).

Fertilizer Needs

Skip the heavy fertilizers for this native plant, as it thrives on neglect and lean soils. High-nitrogen fertilizers cause rapid, weak growth that will make the plant topple over; a top dressing of compost in the spring is all the nutrition it typically requires.

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Growing Zones 4-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

A gorgeous tough-as-nails butterfly magnet, the native cultivar Iron Butterfly Ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly') is just as hardy as its name! Bold, fluffy purple flowers rise tall on very tough stems and sturdy dark-green fine textured foliage.

The dense branching and slender foliage can be increased by pinching back these plants in the spring before they flower. These native butterfly magnets have vigorous, compact growth and loads of blooms! Rich in nectar and pollen for your local bees and butterflies plus many beneficial pollinators in the late summer-early fall.

Spreading and naturalizing throughout Prairies and Woodland settings throughout US zones 4-9. This perennial powerhouse grows 18-24 and wide each year and is quite a drought-tolerant, xeric plant.

How to Use Ironweed In The Landscape

Naturalizing readily throughout moist, rich soil, Ironweed loves Prairie and Wildflower native plantings. Hardy for Rock gardens to Rain gardens and tricky clay soil locations. Also great in Pollinator gardens and Perennial beds. Thriving in a wide range of conditions makes this the perfect plant for any sunny yet troublesome location! Performs beautifully in natural areas and bioswales.

These floriferous blooms are pollinator magnets and a host plant for many species of butterfly larvae! Fantastic for fresh or dried bouquets, so be sure to incorporate Ironweed into your Cut flower garden! Its height makes for the perfect Cottage as a back of the bed and border plant.

Fluffy Intense Purple Blooms
Dark Sturdy Stems & Upright Form
Slender Spear-Like Foliage
Easy Care & Low Maintenance
Hardy Native Wildflower
Butterfly Magnet & Host Plant

#ProPlantTips For Care

These are fast-growing, easy-care natives that thrive in both sunny or part-sun locations and are highly adaptable to most well-drained soils, even clay! Ironweed is even drought-tolerant once established. These long-blooming perennials require very little upkeep, deadhead to remove seed heads or they will self-seed. Ironweed can be planted beneath Black Walnuts without being affected by juglone. Prune back clumps in the early spring.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Highly Adaptable to Most Well-Drained Soil - Even Clay
Moderate to Low Moisture Needs Once Established
Deadhead After Bloom & Prune Back Early Spring
Deer, Rabbit & Juglone Resistant

For an incredibly tough native and highly beneficial to wildlife! Order your own Iron Butterfly Ironweed from Nature Hills today!

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Iron Butterfly Ironweed

Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly'

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications