Agrimonia gryposepala (tall hairy agrimony)

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Agrimonia spp.

agrimonies

Rosaceae

Temperate Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Agrimonia spp. is a genus of about 15 species of perennial herbs in the rose family (Rosaceae), known as agrimonies. Plants grow 1-5 feet (30-150 cm) tall from a woody rootstock, with upright, often hairy stems and pinnate leaves made up of paired large leaflets interspersed with smaller ones. The small yellow flowers have five petals and are carried in long, slender, tapering spikes that open from the base upward over several weeks. As the flowers fade, they form small top-shaped fruits ringed with hooked bristles that catch on fur and clothing and carry the seed away. The foliage has a faint scent when bruised, and several species, particularly A. eupatoria, have a long record of herbal use. Most agrimonies grow in meadows, woodland edges, and hedgerows across the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The genus tolerates a range of soils and some drought once established, though it grows fuller in steady moisture. The slim flower spikes are upright and narrow, so plants take little room in a border. Agrimonia spp. self-seeds readily by means of its clinging fruits.

Native Range

Agrimonia spp. is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with species across Europe, Asia, and North America and a few in tropical mountains and South America. North American species grow in fields, open woods, and along trails.

Suggested Uses

Planted in wildflower meadows, cottage and herb gardens, and naturalistic borders for vertical yellow spikes in summer. The narrow habit suits the middle of a mixed planting among broader perennials. A. eupatoria is also grown in herb gardens for traditional tea and dye use.

How to Identify

Identify Agrimonia spp. by its slender, tapering spikes of small five-petaled yellow flowers held well above pinnate leaves with alternating large and small leaflets. The whole plant is softly hairy, and the leaves give off a faint scent when crushed. After flowering, the calyx hardens into a small grooved bur with a ring of hooked bristles at the top. These hooked fruits and the narrow flower spikes separate agrimonies from other yellow-flowered members of the rose family.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 5'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Most Agrimonia spp. bloom through summer, with each spike opening gradually from the bottom toward the tip over three to six weeks. The small flowers are visited by bees and hoverflies for pollen. Seed set follows on the lower spike while the tip is still flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

flowers in second year from seed

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Agrimonia spp. in full sun to part shade in average, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. The plants adapt to poor and dry soils once established, though they grow taller and fuller where moisture is steady. Little or no feeding is needed, and overly rich soil can make the stems flop. Plants raised from seed flower in their second year and return reliably from the rootstock. They have few pest or disease problems. Removing the flower spikes before the fruits ripen limits the spread of self-sown seedlings.

Pruning

Cut the flowered stems back after bloom to limit self-seeding from the clinging fruits, or leave them for seed and wildlife. Old foliage is cleared to the ground in late autumn or early spring. No other pruning is needed.