This is a tricky one to summarise as this group of plants has been newly parted from Eupatorium, with some also being renamed as Ageratina. The plants we are growing, tend to be in our water garden, as back of the border types. Big heads of many small, pink-purple flowers, sometimes white, very attractive to butterflies, on sturdy, dark or coloured stems. These are clothed with leaves, whorled or opposite. Best grown in a sunny spot, in a good moisture-retentive soil. Some light shade is acceptable, as long as its high above the plants.
All forms are of great significance to late-summer garden wildlife. Honeybees, hoverflies and butterflies love the flowers, and seed-eating finches revel in the dense fruiting heads.