We had so much fun last week playing with the mystery hawk, that I wanted to give you the opportunity to play again.
Here’s a flower that magically appeared in my garden this year, and all around the neighborhood as well.
What is it?
Hint: I live in Philadelphia so you will know zone and regional information.
I’ll be back here to tell you what it is (or to tell you which of you are correct). Have fun!
Answer: I wasn’t sure about this plant myself so I asked my neighbor, Shelley Dillard, who is the chief propagator at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia. She sent the photo to the chief botanist at Morris, Ann Rhoads who is the author of one of my favorite books, The Plants of Pennsylvania: an Illustrated Guide. Thank you Shelley!
Ann Rhoads says that this plant is White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), which has recently been reassigned to this genus from Eupatorium rugosum.
Congratulations to Ellen and Scott who correctly identified this plant in the comments!
© 2009, Carole Brown. All rights reserved.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like it is growing in the shade. Is it growing in sun, shade, or partial shade?
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Alison,
The one is this photo got morning sun only. However there are some in the neighbor’s yard and my backyard that got full sun, as well as some that were in shady spots.
I know that helps very little, sorry…..
Maybe New Jersey tea? (Ceanothus americanus)
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A Eupatorium, perhaps Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset)?
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Carole,
This definatley looks like Boneset, a Eupatorium, and although it is great for wild gardens, I yank it out of mine fast because it gets everywhere! I love this guessing game, especilly today when my yard is under snow!
Beautiful photo Carole! I love the contrast of the rusting iron with the white and green. It certainly looks very much like Boneset but cannot be sure. I do want to thank you so for your kind supportive comment! I am very honored. Carol
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The flowers do not look like the Boneset that grows in my local area! (central MA)…but they do look similar to Eupatorium rugosum! That’s my guess
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I think the answer lies in here:
http://www.plantsthatsuck.com/2009/11/its-like-your-garden-has-dandruff.html
Scott
I have Eupatorium rugosum in my woodland garden, but I thought the leaves looked different from this. Maybe there’s something else growing amongst it in the photo here which is confusing me, sending me off-track. Personally I like it and love that it has naturalized in an area of my garden where few other natives have. I’ve had it in my garden for 8 years, but this is the first year it really came up other than where I planted it. The wild oats on the other hand… spread their wild oats. They had to go because they were taking over.
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