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Wild Hoarhound Ageratina aromatica

Previously known as:

  • Eupatorium aromaticum
Phonetic Spelling
ah-jeh-rah-TEE-na ay-roh-MA-tee-kah
Description

Small-leaf white snakeroot is a native perennial in the aster (Asteraceae) family. It is found in the eastern and southern United States from LA to MA as far inland as KY and OH. It is found growing along the edges of woodlands, after fires and in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fences and edges of fields. In NC it is common in the coastal and Piedmont areas and rarer in the mountains. Ageratina is derived from the Greek meaning 'un-aging', in reference to the flowers keeping their color for a long time.

Small-leaf white snakeroot grows 2-3 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide. The white disc flowers appear in Aug. and continue through Oct. or Nov. attracting bees and butterflies. The green arrow-shaped leaves are fuzzy on both surfaces. 

This plant will do well in a variety of soils as long as they are well-drained. It tolerates drought once established and prefers full sun to light shade. Use this plant in pollinator and native gardens, on slopes or at the edge of woodlands. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#slopes#NC native#native garden#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#pollinator garden#fall blooms
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#slopes#NC native#native garden#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#pollinator garden#fall blooms
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ageratina
    Species:
    aromatica
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Has been used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and southern USA
    Distribution:
    AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract bees and butterflies
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Achene is brown with white tufts of hair. Seeds are wind dispersed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are white disc flowers only with no rays. There are 12-34 florets per flowerhead. Florets are tubular and 1/2 inch in size. The green bracts surrounding the flower head are hairy. Blooms Aug. through Oct or Nov.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Green leaves are 1-3.5 inches long and 1/2 to 2 inches wide. Margins are crenate and sometimes serrate. The tip is pointed and the base is wedge-shaped. Both surfaces have fuzzy hairs
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Flower stems are wiry and have hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil