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.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.