Eupatoriums are the ‘Hemp Agrimony’ family, named after the ancient Persian Emperor Mythridates Eupator who believed in its medicinal properties and had it planted around his palaces. Many Eupatoriums native to North America and used in gardens have recently been reclassified as Eutrochium, native to Central and South America as Ageratina and the Eurasian natives stay as Eupatorium. Also known as ‘Joe Pye Weed’ after an Algonquin Indian who used it to cure Typhus. The new DNA research into these plants is still continuing. They are all very attractive to butterflies and bees while adding great colour to the autumn herbaceous border.
We are not normally open to the public, but you can make an appointment to visit to see the collection when it is in flower from late August to October, email Jan@7wells.org to arrange a visit.
BBC Gardeners World featured the collection in 2013.
Eutrochium purpureum maculatum ‘Atropurpureum’
This is one of the biggest and the purplest! Growing to over 5 feet tall it’s a wonderful plant for the back of the herbaceous border – great with grasses for autumn effect; often used in ‘prairie planting’ and Piet Oudolf designs. Clump-forming hardy perennial. Will tend to grow shorter in the first year of planting, and get bigger in subsequent years.