Pollinator plantings are definitely missing out if they don't make some space for the ironweeds. Though a little on the tall side, they are all beautiful and attract an incredible variety of insects. Curlytop ironweed has larger flowers than other ironweeds that are subtended by long, curly involucral bracts (the curly green parts just below the flower). They tolerate some pruning early in the year if shorter plants are required.
Curlytop ironweed is adaptable to a variety of growing conditions, but is frequently encountered on stream banks and gravel bars in the Ozarks. Populations at these sites are likely the most purebred, as other ironweeds are less likely to be growing nearby--ironweeds are promiscuous, and naturally-occurring hybrids are very common.
Uses: Bees, butterflies, rain gardens
Bloom time: July - August
Height: 36 to 48 inches
Space: 24 to 36 inches
Sun: Full sun to medium shade
Moisture: Average to moist
Seed: Will germinate fairly well without a cold, moist period, but best practice would be to sow outdoors November through late February or stratify at least two to four weeks.
Seed: Will germinate fairly well without a cold, moist period, but best practice would be to sow outdoors November through late February or stratify at least two to four weeks.
- ~200 seeds per packet
- 24,000 seeds per ounce
- 1 ounce covers up to 800 square feet
