Eupatorium perfoliatum

RHS Plant Profile
American boneset

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American boneset RHS
American boneset RHS

Other common names

Indian ague weed, March sage, thorough-growth, thorough-stem, thorough-wax, vegetable antimony, wild sage, feverwort, thoroughwort

Herbaceous Perennial Bogs
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A robust, clump-forming perennial to 1.2m with erect stems and pairs of long, narrow, pointed leaves joined at the base. Large terminal clusters of small, off-white flowers are produced from summer to early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
SE USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in spring or autumn, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back at the end of the season

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free