Eupatorium Ligustrinum

By Davis Landscape Architecture @DavisLandArch

Eupatorium ligustrinum (28/08/2014, Rue de la Pointe Park, Brest, France)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11, 12

Family: Asteraceae

Eupatorium ligustrinum is an evergreen shrub with a bushy, domed habit. Its mid green glossy leaves are elliptic to lance shaped with serrate margins, up to 10cm long and 4cm broad. Its white/ pink flowers appear in terminal corymbs which are up to 20cm across.

Eupatorium ligustrinum Flower (28/08/2014, Rue de la Pointe Park, Brest, France)

Eupatorium ligustrinum,  commonly known as Privet Leaved Ageratina, Ague Weed, Incense Bush or Thorough Wort, is native to south North America, including Mexico and Costa Rica. Eupatorium ligustrinum is synonymous with Ageratina ligustrina.

The etymological root of the binomial name  Eupatorium is derived from the Greek name for the King of Pontus, Mithridates VI Eupator. Ligustrinum is from the name Ligustrum, another plant with similar leaves.

The landscape architect may find Eupatorium ligustrinum useful as a late flowering medium sized evergreen shrub.

Ecologically, Eupatorium ligustrinum flowers are very attractive to pollinating insects.

Eupatorium ligustrinum Leaf (28/08/2014, Rue de la Pointe Park, Brest, France)

Eupatorium ligustrinum prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Eupatorium ligustrinum requires little to no maintenance.