Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Eupatorium perfoliatum
Source: Donna Bos
image of Flowering plant
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Common Boneset
Eupatoire perfoliée

Obsolete Names

perfoliate thoroughwort
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Wet

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Bloom colour: White Bloom period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 4.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Eupatorium perfoliatum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Prairies
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Eupatorium perfoliatum

  • Carmenta pyralidiformis (Boneset Borer)
  • Haploa clymene (Clymene)
  • Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Ruby Tiger)
  • Schinia trifascia (Three lined flower)

Specialized Bees Supported by Eupatorium perfoliatum

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Thalictrum (Non-Native Meadow Rue)
  • Symphiotrichum (Non-Native Aster)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by March
  • Stratification duration: 30 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator: Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.