Growing Guide
 
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Boneset

Herbaceous Perennial Flower, Herb, Wildflower

Also known as Thoroughwort
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Asteraceae Family

This wildflower is at home in most soil types and is well-suited to less-formal borders and naturalistic gardens, particularly in moist sites. Bears lacy domed heads of white blooms in late summer into fall.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
  • part shade

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil
  • tolerates damp soil
  • tolerates low fertility
  • Tolerates poor drainage
Performs well in most soils but does especially well in moist sites.

Hardiness zones:

  • 4 to 9
Possibly hardy in Zone 3.
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: moderately difficult

Relatively easy to grow, but may provide a management challenge as it spreads readily by rhizomes and self-seeding.

Height: 3 to 5 feet

Spread: 2 to 3 feet

Bloom time:

  • late summer
  • early fall
  • mid-fall

Flower color: white

Foliage color: medium green

Stems are usually tinged with purple.

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: upright

Shape in flower: flower stalks with upright spikes

Borne in dense, domed clusters atop erect stems rising above the foliage.

Special Considerations
Special characteristics:
  • aggressive - Self-seeds readily and spreads by rhizomes.
  • non-invasive - Widely naturalized. Considered invasive by some due to its aggressive nature.
  • native to North America - Southeastern North America
Attracts:
  • beneficial insects - Bees.
  • butterflies
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed, division or separation - Divide in the spring or sow seeds in pots or in garden in spring. Readily self-seeds.

Maintenance and care:
Cut back severely once or twice in late spring and early summer to encourage bushy growth and abundant blooms.

Deadhead to avoid self-seeding.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Pests:
Slugs and snails
Diseases:
White smut
Powdery mildew
Cercospora leaf spot
Septoria leaf spot
Southern blight
Rust