Eupatorium capillifolium

RHS Plant Profile
sneeze weed

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sneeze weed RHS
sneeze weed RHS

Other common names

dog fennel

Synonyms

Eupatorium capillifolium 'Elegant Feather'

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Herbaceous Perennial
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An upright plant with columnar stems, to 2m tall, clothed in bright green leaves with very fine leaf divisions (less than 1mm wide). Flowers are tiny and insignificant, dull pinkish-white, and may not be produced before frost cuts the plant back

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Eupatorium can be annuals, herbaceous perennials, subshrubs or evergreen shrubs, with small tubular flowers borne in terminal panicles or corymbs
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Americas

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Can spread quickly, but is very attractive to butterflies and other insects

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in cold frame. Divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back at end of the season

Pests

Slugs and aphids may be a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free