General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade, particularly in hot summer climates. Prefers moist, fertile, humusy soils which do not dry out. Cut plants to the ground in late winter. Best propagation is by cuttings.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Eupatorium purpureum subsp. maculatum (formerly E. maculatum) primarily differs from species plants (see E. purpureum at C740 herein) by having purple-speckled stems and flower heads of 8-20 florets. It seems to have better winter hardiness than the species, and also tends to prefer moist soils whereas the species is more of an open woodland plant. This subspecies is native to damp meadows, thickets and coastal areas in eastern North America. Plants typically grow 4-7’ tall on branched, purple-speckled stems clad with serrate, lance-shaped, medium green leaves (to 8” long) that typically appear in whorls of 3-6. Tiny, light to deep purple flowers in compound inflorescences bloom from mid-summer to early fall. ‘Reisenschirm’ typically grows to 5-6’ tall on stems that are deep purple. Flowers are purple-pink and bloom in large compound inflorescences from July into September in the St. Louis area. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies. Flowers give way to attractive seed heads which persist well into winter and are a good food source for some birds.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Leaves may scorch if soils are allowed to dry out.
Uses:
Tall plant for moist soils in borders, cottage gardens, meadows, native plant gardens, wild/naturalized areas or water margins.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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