VERNONIA lettermannii

Description

Vernonia lettermannii

Height x Spread: 75cm x 50cm

Distinguished from other forms of Vernonia by its narrow, fine foliage, V. lettermannii is also smaller in scale and more rounded due to the number of stems produced in each clump.  The flowers, however, conform with others in the Genus with tight thistle-like deep violet-purple nectar-rich flowers held in thick clusters at the ends of the willowy stems. 

Appearing in August, they deliver a rich injection of colour to the autumn garden, the blooms often lasting into early October before forming fuzzing soft brown seedheads, a source of food for birds in the winter.

Hailing from North America, where it is found on rocky plains it is tough, robust and very useful.  Perfect for a naturalistic prairie style garden mixed with ornamental grasses, it has also become a stalwart of contemporary planting schemes.  Thriving in sun and a reasonable soil, once established it can tolerate short periods of drought.