I've never grown it in my garden, but I see it growing wild roadside. It never gets as tall as the scientific name implies, so I think it'd do fine. Butterflies really like to nectar on the flowers, and I just LOVE their dark magenta color!
Sherry

It only gets about ?4' tall here. My idea of gigantic is joe-pye-weed, which gets 9' or 10' tall and always winds up leaning over.
Sherry

Thanks missshherry, I bought one from almosteden nursery and planted it two weeks ago. It has gown 5 inches already. I have it planted in moist area with joe pye, and crimson eye mallow. I've already started emptying my greenhouse and I can't wait for spring! This is my second year of Butterfly gardening and I'm totally addicted !

I don't have that particular species, but I have V. fasciculata, which is supposed to be a shorter version of Tall Ironwood. Mine gets about 5' tall, though, rather than 2-4' tall as it is supposed to.

We have ferocious winds in Oklahoma, and mine get knocked down to the ground last year. However, I propped it up and it was fine - no broken stems or damage.

Susan

I put in a single ironweed last year but I don't remember which species. I put it in late and it got up to 4'. It is still standing. Dead, but still standing.

KC, 2011 was the 2nd year for mine. It flowered pretty much all summer and fall. However, it didn't attract many butterflies at all, either in 2010 or 2011.

Susan