Eupatorium lindleyanum var. trisectifolium

Lindley's Thoroughwort Asteraceae

A rather intriguing form of Lindley’s Eupatorium, distinguished by its deeply three-part leaves, which give an otherwise familiar plant a distinctly more finely cut appearance. An upright, rhizomatous perennial, it produces branching stems clothed in toothed foliage and topped in summer with broad, flat-headed clusters of small, usually pale purplish flowers. It is a useful plant for the late-summer border, bringing height and a slightly wild, meadow-like character without demanding centre stage.

Its natural range is remarkably broad, extending from the Russian Far East through China, Korea and Japan to Taiwan, Indo-China and the Philippines. 

The nomenclature, however, needs a little housekeeping. Eupatorium lindleyanum var. trisectifolium Makino was published in 1912, but Kew’s current Plants of the World Online treats it as a synonym of Eupatorium lindleyanum var. lindleyanum, rather than recognising it as a separate variety.  The epithet remains useful horticulturally because it describes the distinctive three-lobed foliage.

A good choice for fertile, moisture-retentive soil in sun or light shade—and a fine example of why botanical names sometimes need pruning almost as enthusiastically as plants.

Height: 80–120cm
Spread: 50–80cm
Flowering: July–September
Hardiness: H5
Aspect: Sun or partial shade
Soil: Moist, fertile and well drained

• Nomenclature note: Kew currently accepts* Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. as the species and places E. lindleyanum var. trisectifolium Makino in synonymy under E. lindleyanum var. lindleyanum. The three-part foliage remains a useful horticultural characteristic.