Summary
A Mt. Cuba Center Plant Introduction. This mid-height perennial is perfect for adding contrast to the garden. Chocolate white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’) thrives in moist soil and partial shade. The dark purple leaves show their best color in full sun, but adequate moisture is needed to keep the leaves from scorching. Chocolate white snakeroot grows approximately 3′ tall and has white, compound inflorescences that bloom from early September to October. For a dark foliage interplay, combine with Espresso wild geranium (Geranium maculatum ‘Espresso’), while the bright green foliage and dark stems of Bowman’s root (Gillenia trifoliata) offers contrast and complements the dark foliage and stems of Chocolate white snakeroot. This plant is a prolific self-seeder but unfortunately the seedlings do not have the consistent purple foliage color of the parent. Deadheading may be helpful to prevent unwanted seedlings. Formerly known as Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’. Zones 4-8.
Introduced by Mt. Cuba Center in 1994, Chocolate white snakeroot was selected by Dr. Richard W. Lighty and descended from a plant found in the early 1970s by Hal Bruce, Taxonomist at Winterthur Gardens. ‘Chocolate white snakeroot was found to have the darkest foliage of many seedlings grown over a ten-year period.
More Details
- Plant Type
perennial - Sun/Shade Conditions
filtered-shade, full-sun - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average, moist - Flowering Period
early-fall - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
white - Summer Foliage Color
green, purple - Other Scientific Names
Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’
- Fall Foliage Color
brown, green, purple - Fruit/Seed Color
not-showy