Eupatorium perfoliatum

Description

Eupatorium perfoliatum, or Boneset, is a 2-3 foot tall perennial that makes a dramatic accent to you garden with its small, fluffy, white blooms in late summer. It has interesting foliage, developing pairs of opposite, wrinkly, lance-shaped green leaves along hairy stems. The perennial plant prefers full to part sun and moist to wet soils. Boneset does well along borders, native plant gardens, moist meadows, rain gardens, or banks of ponds. Historically, the plant was used for treatment of flus, fevers, colds and a variety of other maladies. However, all parts of the plant are toxic and bitter. The fragrant white blooms attract butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators. The seed is occasionally consumed by swamp sparrows.

Eupatorium perfoliatum is also commonly called Throughwort.