Churchsteeples: A European Perennial That’s Made Itself at Home
If you’ve ever wandered through a meadow or woodland edge and noticed tall spikes of tiny yellow flowers that look like miniature church steeples, you’ve likely encountered Agrimonia eupatoria. Known commonly as churchsteeples (and sometimes common agrimony), this hardy perennial has quietly established itself across many parts of North America, despite being originally from Europe and Asia.
What Makes Churchsteeples Special?
Churchsteeples is a perennial forb that brings a delicate, old-world charm to any garden space. The plant produces distinctive tall, slender flower spikes adorned with small, five-petaled yellow blooms that really do resemble tiny church steeples reaching skyward. These flowers typically appear in mid to late summer, creating a lovely vertical accent in the garden.
The foliage is equally attractive, featuring compound leaves with serrated edges that have a pleasant, somewhat aromatic quality. The plant typically grows 2-4 feet tall and about 1-2 feet wide, making it a nice mid-border plant that doesn’t overwhelm smaller companions.
Where You’ll Find Churchsteeples Growing
As a non-native species that has naturalized in North America, churchsteeples can be found growing wild in ten states: California, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. The plant has adapted well to various climates and soil conditions across these regions.
Growing Churchsteeples in Your Garden
One of the reasons churchsteeples has been so successful at naturalizing is its easygoing nature. This adaptable perennial thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-8, making it suitable for most temperate climates.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun (though it tolerates some shade)
- Soil: Well-drained soils of various types; not particularly fussy
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but appreciates regular moisture
- pH: Adaptable to various soil pH levels
Planting and Care Tips
- Plant in spring after the last frost
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart
- Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots
- Once established, churchsteeples requires minimal care
- Deadhead spent flowers to prevent excessive self-seeding if desired
- Cut back in late fall or early spring
Benefits for Pollinators and Wildlife
The small yellow flowers of churchsteeples are quite popular with pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies. The long blooming period provides a reliable nectar source during the summer months when many spring flowers have finished.
Garden Design Ideas
Churchsteeples works wonderfully in several garden settings:
- Cottage gardens for that informal, naturalized look
- Herb gardens (historically used for medicinal purposes)
- Wildflower meadows and naturalized areas
- Mixed perennial borders where its vertical form adds structure
- Woodland edge plantings
Things to Consider
While churchsteeples is generally well-behaved, it does self-seed readily and can spread in favorable conditions. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer more controlled plantings. The plant’s ability to naturalize is part of what makes it so resilient and low-maintenance.
Since churchsteeples is not native to North America, you might also consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits. Plants like wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) or native goldenrods can offer comparable pollinator value and vertical interest while supporting local ecosystems.
Is Churchsteeples Right for Your Garden?
Churchsteeples can be a lovely addition to gardens where you want an easy-care perennial with charming flowers and good pollinator value. It’s particularly well-suited for gardeners who appreciate plants with a bit of history and old-world character. Just be prepared for it to make itself comfortable and potentially spread beyond where you originally planted it – though many gardeners consider this a feature rather than a bug!
Whether you choose to grow churchsteeples or opt for native alternatives, the key is creating a garden that brings you joy while supporting the broader ecosystem. This adaptable European immigrant certainly has its place in the North American gardening palette, especially for those who appreciate its understated charm and reliable performance.
