Iron Butterfly Ironweed

Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly'

$59⁹⁹

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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 Highlights

Iron Butterfly Ironweed highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly'
Growing Zones

4-9
Mature Height

18 - 24 inches
Mature Spread

18 - 24 inches
Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Moisture

Low Once Established
Soil

Well Drained
Growth Rate

Medium
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Pruning Time

Early Spring
Bloom Period

Summer, Fall

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.