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Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Other details: This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic) 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Propagation Methods: From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting: Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
On Aug 27, 2006, ccgardener from North Eastham, MA wrote:
Approximately 5 feet tall in average soil on Cape Cod. Tall and stately in center of butterfly garden - a nice contrast to Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' and a perfect color match to Buddleia 'Royal Red'
On Aug 10, 2005, melody from Benton, KY (Zone 7a) wrote:
These plants grace the damp road ditches and meadow edges every fall here in west KY. They make a welcome splash of color just when things are starting to look tired.
Found in NH and NY, south to FL, west to AL, and north to KY and WV.
Once used by the Pioneers to treat stomach ailments.
On Aug 31, 2002, Terry from Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) wrote:
It's often seen in fields around here, but it should be cultivated in the back of the border - it has such a rich purple color in fall, and contrasts nicely with the golden hues of Rudbeckias. Definitely worth growing if you have the space - just put something sturdy in front of it so it doesn't flop about (I suspect having soil on the thin/poor side helps keep the growth in check.)
On Aug 14, 2001, gardendragon from Ladysmith, BC (Zone 8a) wrote:
Pruning: Deadheading plants before seed set can reduce prolific seeding, which may occur particularly in moist areas. First year seedlings may be desirable, though, as they are interesting, usually short 12 to 14 inches high plants with intense purple flowers and may be more attractive than the parent plant. When grown in rich moist soil, plants can tower to 9 feet tall, too large for many perennial gardens. Plants respond to a variety of pruning methods, to reduce their height, to create fuller plants, to stagger bloom time, or to layer plantings. One such method is to cut the plants down to the ground when they reach 2 feet tall, another is to cut plants back by 1 or 2 ft when they are 3-4 ft tall.
Interesting native plant that prefers moist, slightly acidic conditions. The moister the soil the taller the plant may be.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Pelsor, Arkansas Douglasville, Georgia Jeffersonville, Indiana Benton, Kentucky Ewing, Kentucky Smiths Grove, Kentucky Mount Morris, Michigan New York, New York Clyde, North Carolina Williamsburg, Ohio Herndon, Virginia Orlean, Virginia Liberty, West Virginia