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Genus Eupatorium (Hemp agrimony)

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

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Common Name: Hemp agrimony

Plants in the genus Eupatorium bear tubular and fringe-like flowerheads of white, pink, or purple that add soft color and texture to the summer and fall garden. These plants from diverse habitats are grown for their ease of care and their usefulness in mixed borders, wild gardens, and other naturalized areas.
Noteworthy characteristics: Some species are tender, evergreen shrubs, which flower in early to late spring and require little pruning.
Care: Grow in moist soil in full sun or partial shade.
Propagation: Sow seed in a cold frame in spring; divide hardy species in spring; take softwood cuttings of tender species in spring.
Problems: Rust, powdery mildew, white smut, Cercospora and Septoria leaf spot, Southern blight, snail, slugs. Indoors, watch for spider mites and whiteflies.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Eupatorium

Eupatorium 'Phantom'
('Phantom' Joe Pye weed) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

'Phantom' Joe Pye weed is an excellent 3-foot-tall perennial that was bred especially for smaller gardens and mixed containers. Plants have dark green, whorled foliage and handsome lavender to purple flower heads in late summer and fall. The blooms are darker when night temperatures are cool. Joe Pye weed attracts butterflies and other insects.

Eupatorium dubium 'Little Joe'
(Joe Pye weed)

(5 user reviews)

Hardiness Zones:

'Little Joe' is a dwarf cultivar of a species of our native Joe Pye weed. It can reach 3 or 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, and it has the familiar large domes of lavender-pink flowers that attract lots of butterflies in late summer and early fall. Its smaller size makes it a better fit in moist borders, beds, meadows, or roadside plantings.

Eupatorium maculatum
(Joe Pye weed) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

Large, flat-topped flowerheads in shades of purple add soft color and texture to the summer and fall garden. The leaves are purple-tinged on thick stems with maroon spots. Butterflies love this eastern U.S. native.

Eupatorium maculatum 'Gateway'
('Gateway' Joe Pye weed) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This cultivar of the eastern North American native Joe Pye weed is shorter and bushier than the species. From late summer into fall, its domes of dusky pink flowers attract butterflies and other insects. The seedheads persist well into winter. Grow 'Gateway' in a border, meadow, or cottage garden. It does best in soil that does not dry out.

Eupatorium purpureum
(Joe Pye weed) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

Large, domed flowerheads of pink, light purple, or off-white add soft color and texture to the summer and fall garden. The leaves are purple-tinged on thick stems suffused with maroon. This eastern U.S. native attracts butterflies from mid-summer to early fall.

Eupatorium rugosum
(White snakeroot) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This eastern U.S. woodland plant has clusters of small, fluffy white flowers topping stiff 3- to 5-foot-tall stems midsummer to frost.

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate'
(White snakeroot)

(2 user reviews)

Hardiness Zones:

The deliciously colored maroon-brown leaves contrast nicely with neighboring plants through the season. Pure white flowerheads bloom in midsummer and stay open well into autumn.