Eupatorium capillifolium
Family: Asteraceae
Common name: DOG FENNEL
Synonym: Anthemis sancti-johannis
Native to: Bahamas, Cuba, Eastern United States, South West Bulgaria, Southern United States
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect, tufted
Max height: 6.6 feet
Max width: 2 feet
Flower
white/off white
Leaf
green, light
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Bird uses plant for shelter or cover or cavity: cover
Plant features: naturalizes, self-sows, weedy
Exposure: sun
Landscape use: container
Weedy
Propagates by: cutting, seed
flowers in spring
flowers in summer
Soil type: wide range
USDA Zones: zone 2 -50 f, zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f, zone 10 to +30 f
Temp. range: -50 to +40 °F
Water: moist, regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
Eupatorium, also call DOG FENNEL, is a member of the Compositae (Aster) family family. There are 129 species in this genus. Eupatorium capillifolium, a perennial that grows to 6 foot tall by 2 feet wide, is in cultivation, and can be grown from either seed or cuttings in Zones 2-10. It is native to Southern United States and the Eastern United States. It flowers in spring and summer.
If grown from cuttings, the best results might be obtained from cuttings taken in early spring. Given its narrow width, one might try this in a container. It prefers regular to wet watering conditions. Grow in plenty of sun. Try arranging this with other tall narrow plants.
Eupatorium attracts butterflies that feed on plants in the Compositae (Aster) family, listed here on the left.
Eupatorium in particular attracts:
Appias drusilla Florida White,
Ganyra josephina Giant White
Junonia coenia, Common Buckeye.
Rekoa palegon Gold-bordered Hairstreak
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
