Hemp Agrimony

polygro · #1 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 05:56 PM

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

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:03 PM

Call me stupid but is this related to cannabis

I had some growing out of my patio last year that germinated from the seeds the birds dropped from the bird table..The birds loved the seeds.

Jez · #3 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

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

Hemp Agrimony is a good nectar plant! I would probably suggest that if your going to use butyl is to puncture holes for some drainage as it prefers damp conditions but well drained!!! Try sourcing this variety Euportium Purpurea ssp maculatum Riesenscirm it's a new viarety and vey attractive!

polygro · #4 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:07 PM

I don't know. Now that you mention it the leaves do look a bit similar. However, this is a native wildflower... I think !!!

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polygro

I don't know. Now that you mention it the leaves do look a bit similar. However, this is a native wildflower... I think !!!

It was a really attractive plant but my hubby pulled it up..

I may try to get the legit one then..I have a bog garden where I grow astilbys..

Jez · #6 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Call me stupid but is this related to cannabis

I had some growing out of my patio last year that germinated from the seeds the birds dropped from the bird table..The birds loved the seeds.

I think the nearest relative to canabis growing in this country is hop (humulus lupulus) related species-Cannabacaceae. try saying that after a couple swift ones

Jez · #7 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polygro

I don't know. Now that you mention it the leaves do look a bit similar. However, this is a native wildflower... I think !!!

yes it is a wildflower you can find lots of growing by riversides ditches in woods etc. called Hemp Agrimony only to it's hemp looking leafs!

Susie · #8 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 06:56 PM

This is one of the plants that I am trying to grow from seed. It is the only one which I haven't been successful with so far as the seeds are in but nothing is coming up so far, but it is a bit early for a result yet.

As for whether it is a good plant - yes, it is a fabulous plant!

polygro · #9 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 07:10 PM

From where did you get the seed Susie?

I would certainly be interested to know if it germinates and how it does.

Polly

tufftie · #10 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 07:18 PM

There was some already in the garden when i got here but it does seem to self seed quiet well - it doesn't take over but ...!!!

Chilterns seed catalogue has lots of British wildflower seeds in

Cotham Marble · #11 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

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 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 07:51 PM

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

Cheers

Polly

tufftie · #13 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

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 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 08:04 PM

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 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-03-2008, 08:18 PM

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 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

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 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

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 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 07:36 PM

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 · #19 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 07:40 PM

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

Polly

Susie · #20 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 07:42 PM

They do everything bigger, do the Americans.

naturelover · #21 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 08:40 PM

I have grown it befor,you can buy it from most pet shops,its a really strong plant nice to look at,but my sister and mum said i was growing drugs so i pulled it up,must have been three feet tall at the time,grown in ordenary garden soil with nothing else.

Susie · #22 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polygro

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

Polly

The pinky purple flower at the top left of the attached thumbnail is Joe Pye Weed I believe (no butterflies in this pic tho). This photo was taken at Nymans last summer.

paddy · #23 (**permalink**) 08-03-2008, 08:09 AM

It grows wild on the river edges near me - I planted one in the bog garden (fairly humus rich with a moisture retaining membrane of punctured plastic sheet) and it made 6 feet and about 6 big flowering heads. Hoverflies love it - it attracted more insects than anything else in the garden. Also, the heads dry well for indoor displays in the winter. With a bit of work, it's easy enough to control and is a fantastic backdrop to a pond. If you have the space, i would definitely recommend it!

paddy · #24 (**permalink**) 11-03-2008, 10:48 PM

'Both the common and scientific names of the plant come from the similarity of the leaf pattern to that of the hemp or cannabis plant of psychoactive fame, although the two species are unrelated' (hemp agrimony)

From English Nature's 'Gardening with Wildlife in Mind' site - just to put your mind at rest in case the drug squad come calling.....

UB4 gardener · #25 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 04:49 PM

in my experience, west london clay, it grew very well. as for butterflies, yes it attracted a few but it wasn't prolific. But for moths, i would recomend it in an instant. of all the plants i had in my garden i would say for the variety of species it was as good as Buddliea. It would be an ever present in my garden.

Chris