False Boneset: A Hidden Gem for Native Plant Gardens
If you’re looking for a native plant that’s both beautiful and beneficial to local ecosystems, let me introduce you to false boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides var. eupatorioides). This charming perennial shrub might not be the showiest plant in your garden, but it’s definitely one of the hardest working when it comes to supporting wildlife.
What Is False Boneset?
False boneset is a low-growing native shrub that typically stays under 1.5 feet tall, though it can occasionally reach up to 3 feet at maturity. Don’t let its modest stature fool you – this little powerhouse packs a punch when it comes to ecological value. As a true native of the United States, it has evolved alongside our local wildlife for thousands of years.
Where Does False Boneset Grow Naturally?
This adaptable native calls 22 states home, stretching across much of the eastern and southeastern United States. You’ll find it naturally occurring from Texas all the way up to Pennsylvania, and from Florida to Illinois. It thrives in states including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia.
Important Conservation Note
Here’s something crucial to know: false boneset is listed as endangered in New Jersey, where it has a rarity status of S1 (critically imperiled). If you’re interested in growing this plant, please make sure you source it responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries rather than collecting from wild populations. By growing it in your garden, you’re actually helping conservation efforts!
Why Grow False Boneset?
There are several compelling reasons to consider adding this native gem to your landscape:
- Pollinator magnet: The small, white to pale pink flowers that appear in late summer and fall are beloved by butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects
- Low maintenance: Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant and requires minimal care
- Authentic native character: Perfect for prairie gardens, natural landscapes, and wildlife gardens
- Aromatic foliage: The leaves have a pleasant fragrance when crushed
- Extended bloom time: Provides late-season nectar when many other plants are finished blooming
Growing Conditions and Care
False boneset is surprisingly easy to grow once you understand its preferences. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9, making it suitable for most of the continental United States.
Light requirements: This plant performs best in full sun to partial shade. While it can tolerate some shade, you’ll get the best flowering in sunnier locations.
Soil needs: Well-drained soil is essential – false boneset doesn’t like to have wet feet. It’s quite adaptable to different soil types as long as drainage is good.
Water requirements: Once established, this native is quite drought tolerant. Water regularly during the first growing season to help it get established, then you can largely let nature take over.
Planting and Care Tips
- Plant in spring after the last frost date in your area
- Space plants about 2-3 feet apart to allow for natural spreading
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds during establishment
- Cut back stems in late winter or early spring before new growth begins
- Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want the plant to self-sow naturally
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years if desired, though it’s not necessary
Perfect Garden Settings
False boneset shines in naturalistic garden designs. It’s ideal for:
- Prairie and wildflower gardens
- Native plant borders
- Wildlife and pollinator gardens
- Xerophytic or drought-tolerant landscapes
- Natural areas that need low-maintenance groundcover
The Bottom Line
False boneset might not win any beauty contests, but it’s exactly the kind of plant that makes a garden truly come alive with beneficial insects and wildlife. Its understated charm and ecological benefits make it a worthwhile addition to any native plant garden. Just remember to source it responsibly, and you’ll be doing your part to help preserve this special native species for future generations.
By choosing plants like false boneset, you’re not just creating a beautiful garden – you’re creating habitat and supporting the intricate web of life that makes our local ecosystems thrive.
