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Hyssop-leaved Bonset Eupatorium hyssopifolium

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Eupatorium hyssopifolium var. calcaratum
  • Uncasia hyssopifolia
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-puh-TOR-ee-um hiss-sop-ih-FOH-lee-um
Description

Hyssop-leaved thoroughwort is a herbaceous perennial in the aster family ( Asteraceae) native to the eastern and central United States. It is native to dry, sandy or gravelly woods, fields, salt meadows and disturbed areas.

The plant grows in full sun to partial shade in a variety of well-drained soils but does best in dry, sandy soils. It is tolerant of drought, deer, salt and urban conditions.  Hyssop-leaved thoroughwort will grow 1-3 feet tall with a 1-2 foot spread with a clumping habit. It spreads by rhizomes and self-seeds. Deadhead after flowering if self-seeding is not desirable. Otherwise, leave the seedhead on through winter for the birds.

Flowering occurs from summer to fall with abundant clusters of small tubular disc flowers and no ray florets. They are magnets for pollinators. The leaves are narrow and grass-like and occur in whorls of 4 along the purplish stems giving it a fine texture.

Use this plant in naturalized areas such as meadows and fields. It can also be used in the pollinator garden and planted in difficult areas of the yard such as dry slopes and dry sandy areas. It pairs well with native grasses and is attractive blowing in the wind among them. Add some tall yellow flowers and you have a lovely naturalized area.

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

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. hyssopifolium
    Narrow leaves
  • var. laciniatum
    Broader leaves
var. hyssopifolium, var. laciniatum
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#fall interest#rabbit resistant#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#sandy soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#perennial#pollinator garden#wildflower#partial shade
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. hyssopifolium
    Narrow leaves
  • var. laciniatum
    Broader leaves
var. hyssopifolium, var. laciniatum
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#fall interest#rabbit resistant#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#sandy soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#perennial#pollinator garden#wildflower#partial shade
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eupatorium
    Species:
    hyssopifolium
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and central USA
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees, butterflies and birds. Host plant for Clymene moth.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    drought, deer, rabbits
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds with slender white pappus hairs
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The plant produces abundant white tubular disc flowers and no rays in a dense, flat-topped cluster. that can be 5-10 inches across.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Plant leaves are narrow, usually in whorls of three or four. The leaves are sometimes slightly toothed but ususally entire and tend to cluster in the axis. The leaf margin is often rolled inward. Leaves are 3/4 to 2 inches long and sessile (stemless)
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Dark purple or brown stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Urban Conditions