Eupatorium purpureum (Grass root)

Botanical name

Eupatorium purpureum

Other names

Grass root, Gravel root, Gravel weed, Hardy ageratum, Indian gravel root, Indian sage , Indian sanicle, Joe Pye weed, Kidney root, Kidney wort, Marsh milkweed, Motherwort, Pride of the meadow, Purple boneset, Purple hemp agrimony, Queen of the meadow, Queen of the prairie, Quill wort, Sisters of healing, Skunkweed, Trumpet weed, Sweet-scented joe-pyeweed, Eutrochium purpureum

Genus

Eupatorium Eupatorium

Species

E. purpureum - E. purpureum is a clump-forming, deciduous perennial with erect, dark purple stems bearing lance-shaped to ovate, toothed, pointed, purple-flushed, mid-green leaves and domes panicles of pink, purple-pink, or white flowers from midsummer to early autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect, Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Purple-pink in Summer; Purple-pink in Autumn

Foliage

Flushed purple, Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green, Flushed purple in Summer; Mid-green, Flushed purple in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Eupatorium purpureum (Grass root) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Prairie planting

Cultivation

Plant in any moist, moderately fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. Water during dry periods until the plant becomes established.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Eupatorium purpureum (Grass root)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Coleosporium eupatorii

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

A rust affecting Pinus spp. Pathway for entry mitigated by EU regulation of bonsai imports. The trade of pines and other hosts need to be monitored.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/