Ageratina altissima 'Chocolate'

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snakeroot 'Chocolate'

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snakeroot 'Chocolate' RHS
snakeroot 'Chocolate' RHS
snakeroot 'Chocolate' RHS

Other common names

boneset 'Chocolate'

Synonyms

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate'

Herbaceous Perennial
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An herbaceous perennial with purple stems bearing ovate, dark chocolate-brown tinged leaves and umbel-like clusters of small white flowers in summer and early autumn

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
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)
H5

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
Ageratina are shrubs or herbaceous perennials with opposite leaves and small tubular flowers borne in corymbs
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

The ideal site is a moist, alkaline soil in partial shade; frost may damage new shoots

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back faded flower stems to base

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free