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Chocolate Boneset flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Chocolate Boneset foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  White Snakeroot; Joe Pye Weed

Ornamental Features

Chocolate Boneset has masses of beautiful plumes of lightly-scented white flowers at the ends of the stems from late summer to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive large serrated lobed leaves remain purple in color with curious forest green undersides throughout the season. The burgundy stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Chocolate Boneset is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Chocolate Boneset is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Chocolate Boneset will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.