Meadow City Nursery Eupatorium perfoliatum

While this plant thrives in moist to wet conditions, it is quite adaptable. It will perform well in average garden soil as long as it does not dry out completely for extended periods.

It spreads by rhizomes to form colonies, but it is generally well-behaved and manageable. You can easily keep it in check by dividing the clumps every few years or simply removing any unwanted spread in the spring.

Eupatorium perfoliatum is highly deer-resistant due to its bitter taste and texture. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, it is rarely a target for browsing, even when other food sources are limited.

Because of its unique architectural foliage and late-summer blooms, it works best in the middle or back of a border. It is particularly effective in rain gardens, bioswales, or naturalized meadows where its height and pollinator-attracting capabilities can shine.

You can leave the seed heads standing through the winter to provide interest and food for birds, then cut the stems back to the ground in early spring. No deadheading is required during the growing season.