Eupatorium pilosum
rough boneset
 
Eupatorium pilosum, rough boneset, is a sturdy native perennial that brings a soft cloud of white flowers to the late-summer landscape. Plants typically grow 3 feet tall, with coarse, hairy stems and narrow leaves arranged along upright branching stalks.
 
From July-October, clusters of small white flower heads appear at the top of the plant, creating a broad, airy display that stands out against late-season grasses.
 
Like many members of the genus Eupatorium, rough boneset is a magnet for late-season pollinators. The flowers support numerous native bees including Bombus impatiens, Lasioglossum spp., and Melissodes spp., along with butterflies and a variety of beneficial flies and wasps. Several moth species also use Eupatorium as larval host plants. Blooming at a time when many insects are preparing for migration or overwintering, Eupatorium pilosum provides an important nectar resource that helps sustain pollinator populations late in the growing season.
 
In naturalistic plantings, it contributes height, structure, and a steady stream of insect activity when the garden is beginning to shift toward fall.
 
photo by geosesarma