Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants
Vernonia lettermannii
Vernonia lettermannii
In propagation
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Plants are dispatched in growing condition and may not be in full flower. If too tall to pack safely, we may cut them back — this helps them establish more quickly. Read our Mail Order FAQs.
Vernonia lettermannii is distinguished from other forms of Vernonia by its narrow, fine foliage — smaller in scale and more rounded, with multiple stems forming a well-furnished clump. The flowers conform to the genus character: tight, thistle-like, deep violet-purple blooms held in dense clusters at the ends of willowy stems, rich in nectar.
Appearing in August, they deliver a vivid injection of colour to the autumn garden, often lasting into early October before forming fuzzy, soft brown seedheads — a valuable food source for birds through winter.
Native to the rocky plains of North America, Vernonia lettermannii is tough and adaptable. A natural fit for prairie-style planting alongside ornamental grasses, it has also earned its place in contemporary schemes. Thrives in sun in any reasonable soil and, once established, tolerates short periods of drought.
Height × Spread: 75cm × 50cm
