Ageratina altissima 'Chocolate'
White snakeroot, Mist flower, Sanicle, Richweed, Snakeroot, Floss flower
Also known as Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate'
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 1m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This striking plant is grown for its foliage. It makes a sturdy columnar dark chocolate coloured plant, glowing red against the light. The individual leaves are long and pointed with impressed veins. It produces small clusters of whitish, fluffy-looking flowers in late summer and autumn but these are of secondary importance. Plant it in a sunny position, preferably where it can be appreciated, against the light at some point in the day. It will also thrive in a partially shaded spot but the foliage colour will not be as pronounced. This may need staking. It stands around 90cm (3ft) in height and should make a clump some 1m (3ft) in diameter over time.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Black, Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Trim dead flowers to prevent self-seeding
Note on self-seeding: If you do not want this plant to set seed it is necessary to promptly remove the spent flowers as they fade.
It's possible to carefully remove the seed heads, complete with seed, and then place them in areas where you would like new seedlings to grow.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.