Eupatoriums

Not brightly colourful but made more so by the large numbers of butterflies that often gravitate to them in late summer, Eupatorium is one of those quieter plant genera that still deserve a place in borders and other plantings.  The British native known as Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) is common in damp and lightly-shaded spots, especially in the west of the country, and for those who want to focus on our own wildflowers this is really one of the very few that begin their flowering period after mid-summer.

It is in North America that Eupatorium really comes into its own, with lots of very different species.  Particularly statuesque and an old favourite in British borders is what is known there as Joe-Pye Weed.  This actually covers several species, of varying heights, from just over a metre to 3.5m.  Who Joe Pye was is a matter of some dispute – he was possibly a Native American medicine man, as the plant was used for treating various diseases.  These are superb 'back of the border' plants, and stand the winter well, making great mid-winter silhouette plants for the dreariest days.  Unlike so many other tall perennials they are remarkably wind-proof, due to the tough roots that radiate out from the bottom of their stems, acting as tension-absorbing guy ropes.

E. purpureum (Eutrochium purpureum) is the most widely available and any named cultivars such as 'Riesenschirm or 'Gateway' are generally shorter than the species normal two metres, and stronger coloured.  E. fistulosum is taller, E. maculatum and E. dubium are shorter.  All like fertile soil in sun that does not dry out too much.