Western Ironweed, Venonia baldwinii is a lovely perennial native Texas plant.
It starts to bloom in June and the flowers last for about a month.
The plants can be cut back halfway after blooming and they usually rebloom again.
It is very hardy and care free, and the butterflies love it, also the bright purple color is very pretty.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1429
A clump of Ironweed blooming on the wildflower slope at this time.
I agree, Josephine, they're lovely! They sure get tall, don't they? I was used to the shorter Woolly Ironweed until I got the western one a couple of years ago. But in my area, the woolly one seem like the more western species!
Linda, they do get tall, they keep telling me to cut them back when they are young, but they look so lush and strong I just hate to interrupt there growth.
I will cut them back after blooming to try for a second bloom, but I will leave some for seed.
I am very excited to hear that you have the Wooly Ironweed. I have wanted that one for a long time, but have not been able to find it.
Could you save me some seed to bring to the next r.u.?
If you don't have the Western Ironweed I can bring you some, I have plenty of it.
Josephine.
Of course I'll save some seed for you. I do hope to go to the fall RU, although I can't guarantee it. If I can't, I'll mail the seed. I do have the Western one also. Funny thing, the western one seems to spread underground and make more plants, but my one Woolly Ironweed hasn't done that. Wish it would! This is my woolly one blooming!
So beautiful! So this is the wildflower I've been seeing on the side of the highways. lol I've been wondering what the pretty purple colored flower was. Now that I have the name I can order some seeds and try and grow it in my gardens. Thanks Josephine and LindaTx for posting your pictures. ;)
Lin
You know what, I think I have been seeing it too. I noticed it on some open land up the street from my neighborhood. I was thinking I had not seen it before and was wondering what it was. I pulled over on a street in McKinney and tried to get my daughter to get out and cut the top off of one for me. Yeah right! I could not embarass her more. LOL
I never even connected the two until you made that comment Linda. I looked at the picture again and I am pretty sure that's it.
I saw it the other day while riding in the car with my daughter and my little granddaughter. I wanted to tell her to pull over so I could get a better look and maybe get a piece but knew better!! LOL She would have been very embarassed too. LOL
Linda, thank you so much, you are a treasure.
Lin and Stacey, I have never had the good fortune of seeing the Wooly in the wild.
I even tried to find it at the wildfloer center in Austin, and they didn't have it, so you two are lucky indeed.
Josephine.
Do hummers visit this plant? If so, I may have it, too.
I have never seen hummers on them but butterflies love them.
