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Backstory
Common names of many native plants often don't evoke visions of elegance. Frequent use of the word 'weed' is most unfortunate. Every once in a while, a common name comes along that is just plain perplexing! Boneset? According to the good folks at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the name comes from a common practice of wrapping leaves from the plant in bandages used to set broken bones. Why? The stem of the plant appears to grow through the leaf which made early herb doctors believe the plant had properties to help set bones. This was 300 years or so ago!
Details & Design
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a big clumping perennial that thrives in full sun. Today, as we build out our native plant gardens, it can really add to a late summer and fall garden. In full sun, it reaches heights of 3 to 6 feet. The stems are very upright. Small white flower clusters look fresh after the heat of summer.
Experts say it grows in a range of types of soils from clay to sand so long as it has moisture. Boneset grows naturally in wetlands.
This perennial can easily be moved and divided. The upright growth habit makes it perfect for large gardens or at the back of wide borders. It has a long bloom time and is covered with all sorts of pollinators as soon as the small flowers appear. If you like joe pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) but don't care for its tendency to flop a bit, this makes a great substitute. Boneset blooms a bit later with white instead of pinky mauve flowers. The upright stature may work better for you.
Growing Experience
I did not plant boneset in my garden. It just appeared, first in an area with moist soils which experts say it prefers. It grew fast and very tall and wide. I moved it to a location with average, not moist, soils and it still grows 5' tall and wide every year with absolutely no watering. I thought it might waiver in year like this one with a bit of drought but the boneset is as big as ever.
My experience growing it in drier clay soils has been fine but your results may vary. If you have a spot for it, it's great to have fresh white flowers and foliage this time of year. It is very commonly available at native plant nurseries.
The name boneset? Three hundred years in, it seems to have stuck.
Happy Gardening!
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