Local Ecotype
Perennial
Full to part sun
Moist to dry soil
3-5’ tall
Blooms in late summer to early fall
As summer comes on and the days get hot, this tough-as-iron plant responds with crowns of fuzzy magenta flowers. Western Ironweed is an adaptable plant that prefers full to part sun and thrives in a variety of soil types. This reliable perennial has excellent drought tolerance, and prefers moderate to low soil moisture. The blooms feed butterflies and larger pollinators, and are one of many species used by Monarchs in the early phase of fall migration. The foliage is bitter and unpalatable to most mammalian herbivores. Reproduces via tufted seedheads, which may also feed seed eating birds and mammals. May reach heights of 3-6 feet depending on site conditions.
Local Ecotype
Perennial
Full to part sun
Moist to dry soil
3-5’ tall
Blooms in late summer to early fall
As summer comes on and the days get hot, this tough-as-iron plant responds with crowns of fuzzy magenta flowers. Western Ironweed is an adaptable plant that prefers full to part sun and thrives in a variety of soil types. This reliable perennial has excellent drought tolerance, and prefers moderate to low soil moisture. The blooms feed butterflies and larger pollinators, and are one of many species used by Monarchs in the early phase of fall migration. The foliage is bitter and unpalatable to most mammalian herbivores. Reproduces via tufted seedheads, which may also feed seed eating birds and mammals. May reach heights of 3-6 feet depending on site conditions.