Late summer – Early Fall Blooming Native Plants

The pure, tiny white flowers of Boneset “eupatorium perfoliatum” stand-out in the late summer landscape and have a pleasant, floral scent that wafts through the garden air. They are arranged in fuzzy dull-white flower clusters of 10 to 20 florets. Groups of smaller clusters make up larger clusters that are 2 to 8 inches wide. Not only are the blooms fragrant, but they also make attractive cutting flowers, either fresh or dried, in floral arrangements. Many different insect species are attracted to the flowers as the nectar is relatively easy to access.

It is a host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly, the Boneset Borer, and Three-lined flower moth. Bonset has been recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of native bees and butterflies, as well as beneficial wasps and beetles. Moths of several caterpillars feed on the foliage. Seed are occasionally eaten by swamp sparrows.

Tolerating part shade, this native perennial performs best in full sun. Because Boneset thrives in conditions like soggy clay soil, which can be too challenging for most other plants to grow in, consider using it in a rain garden or a woodland garden setting where the soil is constantly on the wet side.

At Lincoln Landscaping cultivating the environment is our life and livelihood. It is our number one goal to help our clients create and maintain beautiful landscapes while reducing the impact on the environment. Whether you are interested in a pollinator landscape garden design and build or other landscaping or property management project; we can create for you an environmentally friendly, organic and beautiful property.