Boneset – Simcoe County Master Gardener

Simcoe County Master Gardeners

Grow Natives!

PLANT PROFILE

COMMON NAME: Common Boneset

BINOMIAL: Eupatorium perfoliatum

Family	Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Native Range:	Eastern Canada to FL, west to eastern Dakotas, west to NV, east to KS, north to TX
Type	herbaceous perennial
Features	flat topped clusters of small, fluffy white flowers in late summer; distinctive perfoliate foliage with medium green leaves surrounding the hairy stems; pollinator magnate; deer resistant; no serious insect or disease problems
Growth habit	sturdy plant with large flower heads and interesting leaves
Mature height	0.9 m–1.5m (2–5’)
Mature spread	0.9m–1.2m (3–4’)
Cdn Hardiness Zone	zone 4–7
Growing conditions	full sun to part shade; water: medium –wet. native ON habitat; thickets, streambanks, meadows and woodlands
Soil conditions	tolerates clay, sand, loam
Watering needs	needs constant moisture
Tolerance	n/a
Maintenance rank	low
Maintenance needs	may require staking in rich, fertile soils. not drought tolerant.
Bloom	white showy flowers July–Sept; Good for cut and dried flower arrangements
Fruit	dry black seed with small tuft of hair to make it wind borne
Pollinator support	attracts large number of native bees; larval support for red groundling, blackberry looper, burdock borer moth and others; flowers offer nectar and pollen
Environmental support	n/a
Garden Use	good size and late bloom for borders, rain gardens, woodland gardens, banks of ponds
Propagation	collectible seeds require 30–60 days cold stratification; stem cuttings in early summer; root division in spring/fall
Risks & Cautions	all parts of the plant are toxic and bitter.

Ref: Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277187&isprofile=1&basic=boneset;

USDA Plants database: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_eupe3.pdf

Minnesota Wildflowers: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/common-boneset