Hemp Agrimony

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by polygro

I have read, in several places, how butterflies like nectaring on Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum).
Has anyone tried growing it in their wildlife garden?

I gather that it needs moist soil and sunny conditions. I wonder if it would work if I dug down and used some butyl liner to create a bit of a bog garden. Wiggly Wigglers sell plants - March at Wiggly Wigglers

I am tempted Your thoughts would be appreciated...

Polly

I haven't got personal experience but it is not a bog plant, although it may well survive on a bog edge. Some sources actually say to plant in 'well drained' soil and I think it is probably well worth experimenting with. An alternative and very hardy plant is Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed) though it can be a bit invasive.

CM

[polygro]

CM - do you know of a variety that isn't invasive, perhaps the native Eupatorium cannabinum???

Cheers

Polly

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

I haven't got personal experience but it is not a bog plant, although it may well survive on a bog edge. Some sources actually say to plant in 'well drained' soil and I think it is probably well worth experimenting with. An alternative and very hardy plant is Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed) though it can be a bit invasive.

CM

If it's any help i'm on chalk here and it seems to do very well

[polygro]

I have free-draining humus-rich clay here so that sounds like it should be ok I think. I am particularly keen to attract more butterflies so I will give Hemp agrimony a try this year.

[Meta menardi]

Near us, the best site for it is on a limestone based soil that is ia quite free-draining. The site is also one of the best round here for butterflies.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by polygro

CM - do you know of a variety that isn't invasive, perhaps the native Eupatorium cannabinum??? Cheers Polly

Apologies my post was not exactly clear.

There are two species of Eupatorium that are widely avaiable - purpureum and cannabinum. Purpureum is a North American native and is a larger and more vigourous grower. Cannabinum is a native to the UK; both will tolerate bog/marsh margins but will grow on most garden soils. It should not be necessary to create wet soil conditions for either to grow.

CM

[Tornado]

Originally Posted by polygro

I have read, in several places, how butterflies like nectaring on Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum).
Has anyone tried growing it in their wildlife garden?

I gather that it needs moist soil and sunny conditions. I wonder if it would work if I dug down and used some butyl liner to create a bit of a bog garden. Wiggly Wigglers sell plants - March at Wiggly Wigglers

I am tempted Your thoughts would be appreciated...

Polly

I have had a Hemp Agrimony plant for five years now and it is placed in a "bog garden" complete with butyl liner, which is really a overflow from the pond, nevertheless, the Hemp loves its home and rewards us with the lovely frothy pink flowers every season.

Your idea will work and hopefully you will be as pleased as we are with ours, and the beautiful butterflies that come to feed when it's in bloom.
Good luck with your "project" Polly
Regards Tornado

[Susie]

Hi Polygro. I got the seed from Naturescape. If they fail then I plant to get some plugs from them (if I can't beg, borrow or steal a bit from anyone I know who has it on their land!).

I think the American relative of this is commonly called Joe Pye Weed? There was some growing in the herbacious borders at Nymans Corner last year and it must have been over seven foot tall. Very impressive.

[polygro]

Seven feet tall.... taking photos of any butterflies feeding on that will be a challenge then!!

Polly

[Susie]

They do everything bigger, do the Americans.