Plant Profile

Tall Boneset - (Eupatorium altissimum) is a herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family (Daisy) native to much of the eastern and central United States and Canada. Its genus name comes from the Greek name for these herbaceous and shrubby plants in honor of Mithridates VI Eupator, 132-63 B.C., King of Pontus. While the specific epithet means especially tall or towering. It can often be found growing in fields, prairies and open woods over limestone soils. 

Tall Boneset grows 2 to 6 feet tall based on site conditions, and 2 to 3 feet wide on a single stem that branches near the top. This plant can be grown in full sun to partial shade in dry to moist, well-drained garden soil. The plant readily reseeds itself, so deadhead spent blooms if this is not desirable, but they will also spread by rhizomes.

Flat-topped clusters 4 to 8 inches across with many whitish star-shaped disc flowers appear late summer into fall. Flowers attract many pollinators. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Consider using Tall Boneset in naturalized areas, in a pollinator, native or drought-tolerant garden.