Many years ago, we had a discussion on whether Western Ironweed could be successfully transplanted because a County paving crew was driving their equipment over where I took photos of this Swallowtail BF. It was July and I knew that was not the ideal time for transplanting but went ahead with it. Well... I now can say for sure it is easily transplanted. I'm cleaning out some areas of my flower garden and will pot up some of these to share if there is a fall roundup.
It's pretty, glad it transplants so well!
Congratulations Glenna, that is a lovely Ironweed and a gorgeous Giant Swallowtail.
Funny story about my Ironweed. I have it in two beds, one gets a lot of shade and a lot of neglect. The other is in a bed that gets a lot of sun and more water. The plant in the bed with shade and neglect has formed a HUGE clump and comes back reliably every year. The one in the sun that gets more water still only has one branch and usually is iffy on its reappearance every year. This year, though, I have TWO ironweed plants in that bed.
Yes, that is interesting, they are supposed to like sun, right?
You just never know about all the factors that may have influenced that behavior.
All I know is, I never cease to be surprised.
After having ironweed for the last few years, I think it does better with lots of sun but very little water. What I have growing in my garden has multiplied to the point I have to pull up new stalks, lots of foliage but not really full flower heads like the one across the street on a vacant lot that drains very quickly when it rains and that's all the water it gets.
Josephine, I don't try to overthink it. I'm just glad it comes back so well in my backyard bed!
All I know is that it is a strong plant and I love it.
I love the purple blooms and the fact that it's very low maintenance. The front flower bed has a lot of amendments in it. That's probably why it doesn't do as well up there. LOL
