A native flower of great value to native specialist and bumblebees bees and tantalizing to many butterflies, ironweed grows strong and tall in amenable sites such as wet meadows and rain gardens, its strong stems providing nesting sites. However, it can be kept shorter by cutting back by one third in June, if desired, or by planting in regular garden soils in larger gardens. Handsome, rugged dark green foliage endears, as does its low care requirements. Curtail its self-sowing ways with a trim after bloom.