Boneset - Eupatorium perfoliatum

Eupatorium perfoliatum, also known as Boneset, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan. Plant reaches 2 to 4 feet tall and flowers from July to September with a large cluster of white blossoms.

It prefers full sun to partial shade, medium to wet soil and will grow in muck, clay or loam. This is an excellent host plant for a variety of insects and supports birds both with caterpillars and seed. In the wild it grows in wet areas, but it does fine in garden soil. Deer resistant and attractive to nocturnal pollinators, butterflies, and birds. Monarch butterflies have been observed on dead stalks of this plant family taking up nutrients necessary for reproduction (see article Monarch Rx by Nancy Lawson.)
 
This is a great plant with large, late blooms. Pairs well with Bog Goldenrod, Swamp Milkweed, Great Blue Lobelia, and Cardinal Flower. Use as a bright accent in flower beds, rain gardens, even ditches. Naturalizes well in wetlands and along lakeshores and rivers.