Boneset

Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

Boneset is a medicinal, herbaceous perennial native to North America, known for its clusters of white, late-summer blooms that attract a wide range of pollinators. Historically valued for its medicinal properties, particularly in treating "bone rattling" fevers, colds, and respiratory ailments, Boneset remains a favorite for natural medicine and wildlife gardens. Its natural habitat includes wetlands, meadows, and woodland edges, making it ideal for moist, native gardens and pollinator meadows. It provides vital support for a variety of specific wildlife species.

Key Characteristics:

• Medicinal Uses: The leaves and flowers have been traditionally used in teas and tinctures to treat colds, fevers, and respiratory conditions, especially in reducing fevers and boosting immune health.
• Wildlife Benefits: Boneset’s nectar-rich flowers attract many pollinators, including bees, wasps, and butterflies. It is particularly beneficial to Monarch butterflies and Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, providing late-season nectar when other plants have stopped blooming. Honeybees and native bumblebees are frequent visitors, while its seeds provide food for small birds, like goldfinches.
• Moisture-Loving: Thrives in medium to wet soils, making it perfect for rain gardens, wet meadows, and areas near ponds, streams, or low-lying areas where water may accumulate.
• Deer Resistant: Boneset’s bitter-tasting foliage is unappealing to deer, making it a great option for gardens prone to deer browsing.
• Ecological Landscaping: A tall, upright plant, Boneset is a good choice for wetland restorations, native plant gardens, and rain gardens, where its structural form provides habitat for beneficial insects, like lacewings and predatory wasps, which help with natural pest control.

Product Details:

• Native Range: North America (U.S. and Canada)
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium to wet soils
• Mature Height: 3-5 feet
• Bloom Time: Late summer to fall (August to October)
• Bloom Color: White
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8

Boneset’s combination of medicinal benefits, wildlife support, and adaptability to moist soils makes it a perfect plant for rain gardens, wet meadows, and native plant landscapes that cater to a diverse range of beneficial insects and birds.