Eupatorium 'Chocolate'

Eupatorium 'Chocolate': Dark Foliage with a Wildflower’s Heart
Striking and unconventional, Eupatorium 'Chocolate' blends the rugged appeal of native wildflowers with the rich tones of ornamental design. Named for its deep purplish-bronze foliage, this cultivar offers clouds of delicate white flowers in late summer and early autumn—rising like mist above its moody leaves. Loved by pollinators and admired by gardeners, it brings a sophisticated edge to naturalistic borders, rain gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 100–150 cm
• Spread: 60–90 cm, forming a bushy, upright clump
• Flower Colour: Fluffy white flower clusters with a hint of blush, held above dark stems
• Flowering Period: Late summer to early autumn
• Foliage: Deep burgundy to chocolate-brown, lance-shaped leaves; colour deepens in full sun
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained to wet soils; tolerates clay and seasonal flooding

Uses and Benefits: Eupatorium 'Chocolate' is perfect for gardeners seeking contrast and pollinator value in one plant. Its bold foliage stands out among green perennials, while its nectar-rich blooms support butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects late in the season. Ideal for borders, wild gardens, and damp sites, it adds height, texture, and movement—offering structure without formality. Deer-resistant and adaptable, it thrives with minimal care.

Companion Plants: Pair Eupatorium 'Chocolate' with Persicaria 'Firetail', whose bright crimson flower spikes stand tall against the dark foliage and bloom over a long season. Add Carex 'Everglow', whose soft, arching blades with orange highlights provide warm contrast at the plant’s base and thrive in similar moisture conditions. Complete the composition with Chelone 'Hot Lips', whose pink turtlehead blooms echo the white fluff of Chocolate while offering structural balance and late-season colour.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile soil. The darkest foliage colour develops in sunnier locations. Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first year. Cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring. Divide every 3–4 years in spring to refresh and maintain clump size.

History: Eupatorium 'Chocolate' is a cultivated form of Eupatorium rugosum (now also classified as Ageratina altissima), a native species found in open woodlands and moist meadows of eastern North America. Selected for its dramatic dark foliage, Chocolate adds a modern twist to the airy, late-summer blooms of its wild ancestors. Its name reflects both its leaf colour and its rich ornamental appeal.

Final Thoughts: With its rich foliage, cloud-like flowers, and wildlife-friendly nature, Eupatorium 'Chocolate' offers a bold take on the late-summer border. Equally at home in a refined design or wild garden setting, it balances structure with softness and supports the pollinators that mark the season’s waning days. A truly unique native cultivar, it brings both depth and light to the shaded corners and moist soils of the garden.