Witch’s Moneybags: A Hardy Perennial for Late-Season Garden Color
If you’ve been searching for a plant that laughs in the face of drought while delivering gorgeous late-season blooms, witch’s moneybags (Hylotelephium telephium) might just be your garden’s new best friend. This quirky-named perennial brings both charm and resilience to landscapes across North America, though it’s worth noting that this European native has made itself quite at home far from its original stomping grounds.
What is Witch’s Moneybags?
Witch’s moneybags is a hardy perennial forb that belongs to the succulent family. This non-native species originally hails from Europe and Asia but has successfully established itself across much of Canada and the United States. As a perennial, it returns year after year, gradually forming attractive clumps that provide reliable garden structure.
The plant gets its whimsical common name from its thick, fleshy leaves that were once thought to resemble little purses or money bags. While the folklore behind the name has faded, the plant’s distinctive appearance certainly hasn’t.
Where Does It Grow?
This adaptable plant has spread extensively across North America, thriving in states and provinces including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and throughout much of the northeastern, midwestern, and some western United States. Its ability to establish and persist in diverse climates speaks to its remarkable hardiness.
Garden Appeal and Landscape Role
What makes witch’s moneybags particularly appealing to gardeners is its dual-season interest. During the growing season, its blue-green, succulent-like leaves create interesting texture and form. Then, in late summer to early fall when many other plants are winding down, it bursts into bloom with clusters of small pink to purple flowers that create a stunning display.
In garden design, this plant excels as:
- A drought-tolerant groundcover for challenging sites
- An accent plant in rock gardens
- A reliable performer in cottage-style gardens
- A low-maintenance option for xerophytic landscapes
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the biggest selling points of witch’s moneybags is its easygoing nature. This plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
Ideal growing conditions include:
- Full sun to partial shade (though flowering is best in full sun)
- Well-draining soil – soggy conditions are its biggest enemy
- Average to poor soil fertility (rich soils can make it floppy)
- Minimal water once established
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Getting witch’s moneybags established in your garden is refreshingly straightforward:
- Plant in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for spreading
- Water regularly during the first growing season, then reduce frequency
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding
- Cut back spent flower heads if you prefer a tidier appearance
The plant typically reaches 12-24 inches in height and spreads to form colonies over time, making it an excellent choice for filling larger areas with minimal effort.
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
The late-season blooms of witch’s moneybags are a genuine gift to pollinators. When many other flowers have faded, these pink to purple flower clusters provide crucial nectar for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects preparing for winter. This timing makes it particularly valuable in pollinator gardens.
Should You Plant It?
While witch’s moneybags isn’t native to North America, it’s not currently classified as invasive or problematic in most areas where it grows. It can be a practical choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants, especially in challenging growing conditions.
However, if you’re committed to native plant gardening, consider these native alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) for pollinator appeal
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) for drought tolerance
- New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) for late-season color
Whether you choose witch’s moneybags or its native counterparts, you’ll be adding reliable, beautiful plants to your garden that both you and local wildlife can appreciate. The key is selecting plants that match your garden’s needs and your personal gardening philosophy.
