How much sun does Upland Boneset need?

Upland Boneset grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Upland Boneset bloom?

Upland Boneset blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Upland Boneset native?

Upland Boneset (Eupatorium sessilifolium) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 25 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Upland Boneset attract?

Upland Boneset draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.

Is Upland Boneset HOA-friendly?

Upland Boneset takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Upland Boneset

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Eupatorium sessilifolium

Last reviewed: June 2026

Toxicity unknown

Upland Boneset (Eupatorium sessilifolium) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 25 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Piedmont Driftless Area Eastern Corn Belt Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Northern Forests Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Upland boneset is a sturdy native perennial that produces clusters of small white flowers from mid-summer through early fall. This reliable wildflower grows in an upright, somewhat bushy form and tolerates various soil conditions. The blooms provide excellent late-season color when many other plants are fading.

In an HOA neighborhood

Upland Boneset takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Has a wild, informal appearance that may look weedy to some
Can form colonies and spread naturally
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare stems

Wildlife value

The abundant white flower clusters are magnets for bees, butterflies, and beetles during the crucial late summer pollinator season. This plant is particularly valuable for supporting monarch butterflies during their fall migration.

Common questions

How much sun does Upland Boneset need?: Upland Boneset grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Upland Boneset bloom?: Upland Boneset blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Upland Boneset native?: Upland Boneset (Eupatorium sessilifolium) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 25 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Upland Boneset attract?: Upland Boneset draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Is Upland Boneset HOA-friendly?: Upland Boneset takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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