Helen Von Stein Lambs Ear, is also known as Stachys byzantina 'Helen Von Stein'
Hummelo Stachys (small), is also known as Stachys monieri / officinalis 'Hummelo'
Hummelo Stachys (flat), is also known as Stachys monieri / officinalis 'Hummelo'
Hummelo Stachys (large), is also known as Stachys monieri / officinalis 'Hummelo'
White Bird of Paradise (Tropical), is also known as Strelitzia nicolai
>>>>>For the home garden, the species is generally too aggressive to mix with other plants
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is a spreading dwarf shrub native to much of the central and eastern United States including Kansas. It features mint green leaves that remain attractive all summer. Light pink flowers are barely noticeable but attractive upon close inspection. Ornamental clusters of magenta berries in the fall are the main attraction! The berries are very freeze-hardy clinging onto the leafless stems throughout most of the winter regardless of the minimum temperatures. This creates quite a show providing excellent color and interest to the winter landscape. While edible for some birds including robins, they seem to avoid the fruits unless it's a last resort. Coralberry is commonly grown as a spreading groundcover shrub for difficult areas. It will grow in full sun or full shade in medium to dry soils including dry-shade. It tolerates moist soil and floods for short periods of time. Fall leaf color is non-existent but ok because of the berry display. A brief window of time exists in the fall where the plant has beautiful green foliage and contrasting magenta berries at the same time. In the landscape, it is commonly used as large mass planting on hills. Because of its tolerance for adverse conditions including poor soil and rock, it is often one of the last resort plants that will survive in certain areas. It competes well under large shade trees and helps absorb leaf litter allowing it to break down and add nutrients back to the soil. This plant also does well in full sun; berry density is much greater in full sun. Plants can also be planted on the north side of a house, being extremely cold hardy with no winterkill. Another great spot is planting on top of a retaining wall allowing it to cascade down. We do not recommend planting in small areas or in spaces that it will overrun neighboring plants. It only spreads above ground as horizontally growing stems touch the ground and root. This does make maintenance easier to control the spread of the plant versus digging out rhizomes. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. Proud Berry Pink Coralberry (Symphoricarpos 'Proud Berry') is a Proven Winners® selection that has much larger pink berries in large clusters. Fruit lasts into December but is quicker to dessicate than the true native magenta coralberry. All Proven Winners® plants are legally propagated, healthy and vigorous, true to name, and tagged with color pictures and growing information.
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is a spreading dwarf shrub native to much of the central and eastern United States including Kansas. It features mint green leaves that remain attractive all summer. Light pink flowers are barely noticeable but attractive upon close inspection. Ornamental clusters of magenta berries in the fall are the main attraction! The berries are very freeze-hardy clinging onto the leafless stems throughout most of the winter regardless of the minimum temperatures. This creates quite a show providing excellent color and interest to the winter landscape. While edible for some birds including robins, they seem to avoid the fruits unless it's a last resort. Coralberry is commonly grown as a spreading groundcover shrub for difficult areas. It will grow in full sun or full shade in medium to dry soils including dry-shade. It tolerates moist soil and floods for short periods of time. Fall leaf color is non-existent but ok because of the berry display. A brief window of time exists in the fall where the plant has beautiful green foliage and contrasting magenta berries at the same time. In the landscape, it is commonly used as large mass planting on hills. Because of its tolerance for adverse conditions including poor soil and rock, it is often one of the last resort plants that will survive in certain areas. It competes well under large shade trees and helps absorb leaf litter allowing it to break down and add nutrients back to the soil. This plant also does well in full sun; berry density is much greater in full sun. Plants can also be planted on the north side of a house, being extremely cold hardy with no winterkill. Another great spot is planting on top of a retaining wall allowing it to cascade down. We do not recommend planting in small areas or in spaces that it will overrun neighboring plants. It only spreads above ground as horizontally growing stems touch the ground and root. This does make maintenance easier to control the spread of the plant versus digging out rhizomes. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges.
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is a spreading dwarf shrub native to much of the central and eastern United States including Kansas. It features mint green leaves that remain attractive all summer. Light pink flowers are barely noticeable but attractive upon close inspection. Ornamental clusters of magenta berries in the fall are the main attraction! The berries are very freeze-hardy clinging onto the leafless stems throughout most of the winter regardless of the minimum temperatures. This creates quite a show providing excellent color and interest to the winter landscape. While edible for some birds including robins, they seem to avoid the fruits unless it's a last resort. Coralberry is commonly grown as a spreading groundcover shrub for difficult areas. It will grow in full sun or full shade in medium to dry soils including dry-shade. It tolerates moist soil and floods for short periods of time. Fall leaf color is non-existent but ok because of the berry display. A brief window of time exists in the fall where the plant has beautiful green foliage and contrasting magenta berries at the same time. In the landscape, it is commonly used as large mass planting on hills. Because of its tolerance for adverse conditions including poor soil and rock, it is often one of the last resort plants that will survive in certain areas. It competes well under large shade trees and helps absorb leaf litter allowing it to break down and add nutrients back to the soil. This plant also does well in full sun; berry density is much greater in full sun. Plants can also be planted on the north side of a house, being extremely cold hardy with no winterkill. Another great spot is planting on top of a retaining wall allowing it to cascade down. We do not recommend planting in small areas or in spaces that it will overrun neighboring plants. It only spreads above ground as horizontally growing stems touch the ground and root. This does make maintenance easier to control the spread of the plant versus digging out rhizomes. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. Symphoricarpos x chenaultii 'Hancock' in a dwarf variety maxing out at 18-24" tall.
***Description for this perennial available with future update!*** >>>>>> This fall blooming aster does not splay open like other Asters can. According to Walters Gardens "Bringing refinement to fall blooming Asters, 'Grape Crush' produces a large, very round mound with densely packed flowers. We have observed no lodging in our trials, a phenomenal achievement for fall blooming Asters. Very rich, dark purple flowers are produced above dark green foliage in early fall to midfall. A perfect finale to the growing season!" Asters are native to North America and are generally very easy to grow.
***Description for this perennial available with future update!***
Dry Shade Comfrey / Large-Flowered Comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum) is a perennial native to Europe with textured sandpapery green leaves and light yellow flowers. It spreads by creeping rhizomes and forms an attractive groundcover. Foliage is quite dense forming a tight weed resistant covering. Comfrey prefers rich average to moist well-drained soils with part sun to full shade. However, being a tolerant plant, is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and will grow quite nicely in dry shade. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. and is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. There is virtually no maintenance unless you want to mow down the dead foliage in the winter. It is also suggested to deadhead the flowers after blooming as they are not attractive. But if you don't, they will die back on their own and get swallowed up by the foliage. In addition to being a great perennial for your landscape, this comfrey may have herbal uses as well. There are no pest, disease, or browser problems. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. The blue variety, Symphytum grandiflorum 'Hidcote Blue', has more of a blue green foliage and light blue flowers on taller flower spikes. Spread is also more rapid and sometimes to the point of aggressive and rich moist soil. Comfrey is a great underused plant worthy of more wide scale use in the landscape. Dry Shade Comfrey has persisted through over a decade in our Lawrence, KS display garden with no problems.
Dry Shade Comfrey / Large-Flowered Comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum) is a perennial native to Europe with textured sandpapery green leaves and light yellow flowers. It spreads by creeping rhizomes and forms an attractive groundcover. Foliage is quite dense forming a tight weed resistant covering. Comfrey prefers rich average to moist well-drained soils with part sun to full shade. However, being a tolerant plant, is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and will grow quite nicely in dry shade. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. and is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. There is virtually no maintenance unless you want to mow down the dead foliage in the winter. It is also suggested to deadhead the flowers after blooming as they are not attractive. But if you don't, they will die back on their own and get swallowed up by the foliage. In addition to being a great perennial for your landscape, this comfrey may have herbal uses as well. There are no pest, disease, or browser problems. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. The blue variety, Symphytum grandiflorum 'Hidcote Blue', has more of a blue green foliage and light blue flowers on taller flower spikes. Spread is also more rapid and sometimes to the point of aggressive and rich moist soil. Comfrey is a great underused plant worthy of more wide scale use in the landscape. Dry Shade Comfrey has persisted through over a decade in our Lawrence, KS display garden with no problems.
Japanese Shredded Umbrella Plant (Syneilesis aconitifolia) is a perennial with bright green dissected leaves cascade downward like an umbrella. Emerging foliage is covered with a unique white fur. It spreads very slowly by creeping rhizomes that form a tight clump after many years. Fine-textured foliage is quite dense; it forming a tight weed resistant covering. White flowers on mauve pink calyxes tower above the foliage in midsummer but are not especially attractive unless viewed up close. Some gardeners cut the flowers promptly to avoid distraction from the amazing foliage. Japanese Shredded Umbrella Plant prefers rich average to moist well-drained soils with morning sun to full shade. However, being a tolerant plant, is adaptable to both dry and moist locations and will grow quite nicely in mild dry shade. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. There is virtually no maintenance accept cutting down in fall after the first hard freeze. It is also suggested that if allowing flowering to occur, to deadhead the flowers after blooming as they are not attractive either. There are no pest, disease, or browser problems. This plant is a great underused specimen for the shade garden worthy of more wide scale use in the landscape. Having persisted in our Lawrence, KS display garden with no problems for over a decade, this is a "must have" if and when available to purchase!
>>>>> Purple Persian Lilac, is also known as Syringa x persica. This lilac has wonderful fragrance and good fall color. The smaller-than-usual growth of this shrub makes it easy to place in the front of a border, or use as a low hedge along the drive or sidewalk.
>>>>>Ultra cold-hardy plants from northern climates normally dislike our long hot humid summers; although we are on the Southern edge of this plants adaptability, it still survives reasonably well here. Look for a cold microclimate planting location such as East or North exposure.>>>>>
Bloomerang Reblooming Dark Purple Lilac, is also known as Syringa x 'Bloomerang Dark Purple'
Purple Persian Lilac, is also known as Syringa x persica
This tiny perennial wildflower (Talinum / Phemeranthus calycinum) produces ascending stems 2-6" long topped with bright magenta flowers. The cluster of bright green foliage at the base is only a few inches tall and resembles round tubes giving it a succulent look. Blooming occurs in mass, each flower lasting only 1 afternoon, but repeating all summer with available moisture. Fame Flower is native to a large area of the great plains to the eastern woods of Missouri and Arkansas. This cold hardy succulent occupies an unusual niche: growing in extremely shallow sandstone based soils and on sunny rock cliffs that dry out too quickly for most other plants to colonize. A good question is how does it find such isolated areas to colonize in the first place? Grow this small native gem in a rock garden, in cracks between rocks, or on top of or in a retaining wall. It will re-seed to thicken the colony but only germinate in bare thin soils with no mulch. It will not tolerate competition in rich moist soils as other plants will shade it out. If grown in pots and kept on the dry side, you may leave out all winter allowing to freeze solid; plants will either return from dormant stems or reseed in the same pot. Great low maintenance cold hardy succulent.
This tiny perennial wildflower (Talinum / Phemeranthus calycinum) produces ascending stems 2-6" long topped with bright magenta flowers. The cluster of bright green foliage at the base is only a few inches tall and resembles round tubes giving it a succulent look. Blooming occurs in mass, each flower lasting only 1 afternoon, but repeating all summer with available moisture. Fame Flower is native to a large area of the great plains to the eastern woods of Missouri and Arkansas. This cold hardy succulent occupies an unusual niche: growing in extremely shallow sandstone based soils and on sunny rock cliffs that dry out too quickly for most other plants to colonize. A good question is how does it find such isolated areas to colonize in the first place? Grow this small native gem in a rock garden, in cracks between rocks, or on top of or in a retaining wall. It will re-seed to thicken the colony but only germinate in bare thin soils with no mulch. It will not tolerate competition in rich moist soils as other plants will shade it out. If grown in pots and kept on the dry side, you may leave out all winter allowing to freeze solid; plants will either return from dormant stems or reseed in the same pot. Great low maintenance cold hardy succulent.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a well-known picturesque tree native to the southeast from Texas to Florida to Virginia. It is a deciduous conifer that grows on saturated and seasonally inundated soils but also performs well an average garden soils including some drought. Trees can be very long lived due to near immunity from pests and disease with some specimens over 2000 years old. When growing in standing water (exclusively), the characteristic knees develop. These are thought to assist an oxygen exchange or to trap sediment along a channel to stabilize the creek bank. Growth is slow during youth especially and dryer sites or poor soils but speeds up in rich well-drained soils. This non-flowering tree features extremely fine textured foliage that creates its own attractive mulch under the tree or blends in invisibly into the lawn. Most references indicate that acidic soil is important however I have seen these growing in pure white limestone alkaline streams in Austin Texas. The water was cyystal clear and pH was so high that not many other organisms for growing in it. Bald Cypress makes a beautiful street tree or residential landscape specimen that will be highly prized after a decade or two. Reserve for the wet test spot in your yard and it will thrive!
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a well-known picturesque tree native to the southeast from Texas to Florida to Virginia. It is a deciduous conifer that grows on saturated and seasonally inundated soils but also performs well an average garden soils including some drought. Trees can be very long lived due to near immunity from pests and disease with some specimens over 2000 years old. When growing in standing water (exclusively), the characteristic knees develop. These are thought to assist an oxygen exchange or to trap sediment along a channel to stabilize the creek bank. Growth is slow during youth especially and dryer sites or poor soils but speeds up in rich well-drained soils. This non-flowering tree features extremely fine textured foliage that creates its own attractive mulch under the tree or blends in invisibly into the lawn. Most references indicate that acidic soil is important however I have seen these growing in pure white limestone alkaline streams in Austin Texas. The water was cyystal clear and pH was so high that not many other organisms for growing in it. Bald Cypress makes a beautiful street tree or residential landscape specimen that will be highly prized after a decade or two. Reserve for the wet test spot in your yard and it will thrive! Taxodium distichum 'Lindsey's Skyward' is a columnar upright form great for screening.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a well-known picturesque tree native to the southeast from Texas to Florida to Virginia. It is a deciduous conifer that grows on saturated and seasonally inundated soils but also performs well an average garden soils including some drought. Trees can be very long lived due to near immunity from pests and disease with some specimens over 2000 years old. When growing in standing water (exclusively), the characteristic knees develop. These are thought to assist an oxygen exchange or to trap sediment along a channel to stabilize the creek bank. Growth is slow during youth especially and dryer sites or poor soils but speeds up in rich well-drained soils. This non-flowering tree features extremely fine textured foliage that creates its own attractive mulch under the tree or blends in invisibly into the lawn. Most references indicate that acidic soil is important however I have seen these growing in pure white limestone alkaline streams in Austin Texas. The water was cyystal clear and pH was so high that not many other organisms for growing in it. Bald Cypress makes a beautiful street tree or residential landscape specimen that will be highly prized after a decade or two. Reserve for the wet test spot in your yard and it will thrive! Pond Cypress (Taxodium distichum var. imbricarium) in now considered a naturally occuring variety of Bald Cypress. Its old name was Taxodium ascendens. In comparison to Bald Cypress, Pond Cypress is somewhat smaller, more narrow, less branching and has very interesting scale-like spirally arranged leaves.
Capitata Upright Pyramidal Yew, is also known as Taxus cuspidata 'Capitata'
Densiformis Hedge Yew (Taxus x media 'Densiformis') is an evergreen shrub with small flat needle-like dark green leaves. Small red "fruits" form on mature plants with proper pollination and in the absence of pruning. This yew is of hybrid origin along with many varieties ranging from small shrubs to small trees. Taxus x media varieties grow rather slowly and lend themself excellently to being pruned into hedges as long as not too much is taken off at one time. After a plant achieves a certain height, you may keep it that size indefinitely with 3 to 4 times per year pruning. Yews prefer part shade with rich to average well-drained soil and average moisture. Yews planted in the full sun will survive but develop an burnt yellowish green color when temperatures exceed 100°F. This is usually a problem in zone 6 or further south as there are many better choices for full sun (morning sun is okay). In zones 4-5, full sun is probably okay. Yews are best known for their tolerance to dry shade even under root bound conditions. They will not survive more than a couple years under a roof overhang due to lack of moisture in the winter and spider mite problems. In the Eastern and Southeastern United States, Yews have many problems including root rot, insect and disease issues. None of these are a problem in Kansas or Oklahoma with lower rainfall amounts and less humidity. In the landscape, yews offer a year-round structure. They definitely help provide a background for more interesting plants with colorful foliage and flowers. They are also very well known and used in formal garden designs. We prefer to see them less pruned and then there more natural state. A word of caution is that yews are poisonous.
Esperanza (Tecoma fulva) is an attractive, dry deciduous shrub native to southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina with pinnate foliage and trumpet-shaped, bright orange-red flowers. Tecoma fulva 'Chicklet Orange' is a compact selection with exceptional flower power, so it will add a lot to landscapes either as a landscape shrub or as a patio plant. It has the same fun flowers as a trumpet vine but isn't invasive, and will grow 3-6' tall and 2-4' wide. It will do best in full sun. All Proven Winners® plants are legally propagated, healthy and vigorous, true to name, and tagged with color pictures and growing information.
Rice Paper Plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer) is a hardy tropical with large palmate leaves up to 24" across. In warmer zones and in its native habitat in Taiwan, Tetrapanax is a large shrub or small tree with white flowers produced in the fall. However in our Lawrence Kansas zone 6a climate, Tetrapanax is killed down to the ground each year like crapemyrtles and butterfly bush. A thick mulch is appreciated when young but not needed on established plantings. Tetrapanax is not picky about soils or moisture but will display fastest growth in rich, moist, well-drained areas in full sun. Tetrapanax will also tolerate almost full shade when established. Because it spreads by rhizomes, be sure to allow plenty of space or have control methods in place. Generally, chopping off shoots as they emerge as easy enough. Another word of caution is that Tetrapanax contains a white powdery-like cottony substance on near stems and back sides of leaves. This can cause eye and throat irritation so be careful when cutting back to not rub off the dust (or do so up-wind). Tetrapanax is a very rare plant in cultivation but can also be seen at the Wichita botanical gardens, Botanica. There is a giant form called Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Steroidal Giant' available at Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina with leaves up to 3 feet wide and less spreading but we have not been able to procure or establish this plant in our Lawrence, KS garden. In our trial gardens in Lawrence, KS (zone 6a), three established mulched specimens of Tetrapanax papyrifer have survived for over 10 years including -17 degrees F in 2021. During that arctic blast of February, 2021, lows down to -17 degrees F on Feb 16th, 2021 were recorded. The longevity of this cold blast was also impressive: 10 days on a row with highs of 10-15 degrees F or lower, 8 nights of lows in the single digits and negatives, and 36 straight hours of 0 degrees F and mostly lower. It can also be grown as a potted patio plant; move into a cold garage or basement over the winter with minimal watering. Allow to go dormant as needed with little care, just cut off dead foliage and place back out in April or May with a time-release fertilizer.
>>>>>This plant is usually grown as a bog plant needing constantly moist soil rich in organic matter. As a rain garden plant, it will thrive is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof during spring and summer periods of rain but then is amazingly drought tolerant if the water hole dries out.
Yellow False Lupine / Lanceleaf Thermopsis, is also known as Thermopsis lanceolata. This plant has beautiful green narrow leaves and black stems on new emerging plants before flowering. Thermopsis lanceolata, the tapered false lupin, is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae, native to Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal and China.
***Tree descriptions available with future update!***
Red Creeping Thyme, is also known as Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineum'
Elfin Miniature Creeping Thyme, is also known as Thymus serpyllum 'Elfin'
Pink Creeping Thyme, is also known as Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz'
Creeping Thyme (Mixed Varieties), is also known as Thymus sp.
Creeping Thyme (Mixed Varieties) flat, is also known as Thymus sp.
Chinese Toon (Toona sinensis) is a rare shrub-like tree from China in the mahogany family known for its edible leafy foliage. Foliage has an onion a flavor and can be eaten fresh or mixed into stir-fry vegetable recipes. When emerging in the spring, new foliage is a bright red to pink color and is enhanced by cooler weather in the spring. Bi-pinnate foliage deepens to a medium to dark green as it unfurls throughout the summer and has a strong resemblance in appearance to Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Fall color is a gorgeous yellow lasting for a week or two. Chinese Toon is useful in the edible landscape as a "vegetable tree". Also very attractive in the landscape, it can form a background shrub, a specimen shrub, or a small colony. Grow in full sun and just about any well drained soil for best results. Although this grows into a "tree" in southern climates, it will typically freeze down to the ground each year in Lawrence Kansas. (zone 6a) The only maintenance is pruning winter-killed growth to the ground. New rapidly growing water sprout shoots will emerge by mid spring. New foliage is the most tasty to eat, so this works out great for harvesting when grown as a "vegetable tree". Chinese Toon can also be grown as a potted plant moved into a garage or dark basement: it doesn't seem to suffer from being root bound in a pot.
Chinese Windmill Palm (Tropical), is also known as Trachycarpus fortunei
Sundew Oriental Borage / Black Sea Comfrey (Trachystemon orientalis 'Sundew') is a perennial with large textured bright chartreuse leaves with amazing contrasting light blue flowers. It is native from Bulgaria to the Caucasus and Turkey. This variety spreads very slowly by creeping rhizomes and forms an attractive groundcover. Foliage darkens slightly to green in summer and forms a quite dense and tight weed resistant covering. Comfrey prefers rich average to moist well-drained soils with part sun to full shade. However, being a tolerant plant, is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and will grow quite nicely in dry shade. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. and is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. There is virtually no maintenance unless you want to mow down the dead foliage in the winter. It is also suggested to deadhead the flowers after blooming as they are not attractive. But if you don't, they will die back on their own and get swallowed up by the foliage. There are no pest, disease, or browser problems. Considered one of the best plants for solving your most difficult dry-shade landscape challenges. Trachystemon orientalis 'Sundew' has persisted through over a decade in our Lawrence, KS display garden with no problems. Our original display garden plant came from Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina.
Native Blue Spiderwort, is also known as Tradescantia virginiana
Blue & Gold Spiderwort, is also known as Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Blue and Gold'
Concord Grape Spiderwort, is also known as Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Concord Grape'
>>>>>This plant is usually grown as a bog plant needing constantly moist soil rich in organic matter. As a rain garden plant, it will thrive is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof during spring and summer periods of rain but then go dormant if the water hole dries out completely. For the home garden, the species is generally too aggressive to mix with other plants
Mixed Highbush Blueberry (Forrest Keeling Hybrids), is also known as Vaccinium corymbosum
Native Rose Verbena / Glandularia (flat), is also known as Verbena / Glandularia canadensis
Native Rose Verbena / Glandularia, is also known as Verbena / Glandularia canadensis
***Description for this plant available with future update!***
Narrow-leaf Ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii) is a relatively new plant to horticulture; originally discovered in Arkansas along gravel stream beds in the wild. The Iron Butterfly cultivar (Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly') is a dwarf compact cultivar introduced by Dr. Allan Armitage at the University of Georgia. This is a true four-seasons perennial that belongs in almost every perennial garden. In the spring, narrow dark green foliage resembling Amsonia hubrichtii creates a compact shrub-like appearance. The growth is so dense that no weeds have a chance of invading a mature stand of plants. By mid to late summer, gorgeous deep purple fine-textured flowers cover the plant for 4-6 weeks. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators flock to the occasion. Following the bloom, the flower stocks are sturdy and hold up very well for fall and winter interest. The flowers themselves produce mostly non-viable seed and cling to the plant creating a silvery shine whenever sunlight hits it. This can be very useful and dried flower arrangements as well as winter interest gardens. At some point in the winter, all top growth will need to be cut back as this is the only maintenance required. Despite being native to gravel and sand bars along rivers, Iron butterfly Vernonia surprisingly can handle very dry clay, gravelly, or sandy soils along with short periods of flooding. Permanently wet soil is not favored but it can handle the upper portions of a rain garden. Iron butterfly has only one pest problem and that is rabbits! If rabbits are an issue, just put a bowl-shaped chicken wire cage around the plants for the first year. By year #2, the rapidly growing foliage will outgrow any detrimental rabbit browsing. This is definitely one of the most adapted landscape plants in Kansas zone 6a with no problems with heat or cold, dry or wet! It's hard to imagine a perennial garden without this plant!
Narrow-leaf Ironweed (Vernonia lettermannii) is a relatively new plant to horticulture; originally discovered in Arkansas along gravel stream beds in the wild. The Iron Butterfly cultivar (Vernonia lettermannii 'Iron Butterfly') is a dwarf compact cultivar introduced by Dr. Allan Armitage at the University of Georgia. This is a true four-seasons perennial that belongs in almost every perennial garden. In the spring, narrow dark green foliage resembling Amsonia hubrichtii creates a compact shrub-like appearance. The growth is so dense that no weeds have a chance of invading a mature stand of plants. By mid to late summer, gorgeous deep purple fine-textured flowers cover the plant for 4-6 weeks. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators flock to the occasion. Following the bloom, the flower stocks are sturdy and hold up very well for fall and winter interest. The flowers themselves produce mostly non-viable seed and cling to the plant creating a silvery shine whenever sunlight hits it. This can be very useful and dried flower arrangements as well as winter interest gardens. At some point in the winter, all top growth will need to be cut back as this is the only maintenance required. Despite being native to gravel and sand bars along rivers, Iron butterfly Vernonia surprisingly can handle very dry clay, gravelly, or sandy soils along with short periods of flooding. Permanently wet soil is not favored but it can handle the upper portions of a rain garden. Iron butterfly has only one pest problem and that is rabbits! If rabbits are an issue, just put a bowl-shaped chicken wire cage around the plants for the first year. By year #2, the rapidly growing foliage will outgrow any detrimental rabbit browsing. This is definitely one of the most adapted landscape plants in Kansas zone 6a with no problems with heat or cold, dry or wet! It's hard to imagine a perennial garden without this plant!