Brickellia eupatorioides
false boneset
Overview
Brickellia eupatorioides is an upright herbaceous perennial growing 1-4 feet (30-120 cm) tall from a woody rootstock. The stems branch in the upper portion and carry narrow lance-shaped to linear leaves 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, arranged alternately, with toothed or smooth margins. From August to October the plant produces clusters of cylindrical flower heads, each holding 7 to 25 cream to greenish-white disc florets and no ray florets. As the seed develops, each head opens into a tawny, bristly pappus. Brickellia eupatorioides grows in dry prairies, glades, and rocky open ground across much of the central and eastern United States. It has a deep taproot that supports drought tolerance once established but makes transplanting of mature plants difficult. The flowers draw small bees, wasps, and butterflies in late season when few other prairie plants bloom. Plants reach flowering size in their second year and form an open, somewhat wiry habit rather than a dense clump. The foliage is browsed by deer in some areas, and rich or consistently wet soil shortens the plant's life.
Native Range
Brickellia eupatorioides is native to central and eastern North America, from the Great Plains east to the Atlantic and south to Texas and the Gulf states. It grows in dry prairies, glades, and open rocky ground.Suggested Uses
Brickellia eupatorioides is used in prairie restorations, native plant gardens, and dry meadow plantings, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Its late bloom supports pollinators in dry, low-fertility sites where many perennials grow poorly. The wiry stems are also grown among grasses for a naturalistic effect.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to greenish-whiteFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Brickellia eupatorioides grows in full sun and dry to medium, well-drained soil, including poor, rocky, and sandy ground. It tolerates drought once the deep taproot is established and declines in rich or consistently wet soil. Water is needed only during extended dry spells in the first season. The plant self-sows where seed heads are left standing. Its taproot makes division and transplanting of established plants difficult, so propagation is usually from seed. No fertilizer is needed in average to lean soils.Pruning
Stems are cut to the ground in late winter before new growth begins. Spent flower heads are left through autumn to allow self-seeding, or removed earlier to limit spread. Plants need no other routine pruning.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter