Hemp agrimony is attractive to wildlife
Hemp agrimony, Eupatorium cannabinum, is sometimes spelled with a hyphen between the two words: hemp-agrimony. It’s also occasionally called sweet-smelling trefoil or water maudlin. The words “hemp” in the common name and “cannabinum” in the Latin name probably refers to the leaf form, which is “palmately lobed” (botany-speak for roughly hand shaped), individual leaflets forming the “fingers”, like cannabis leaves. Hemp agrimony is not related to marijuana (also sometimes called hemp).
Hemp agrimony is a hardy perennial which reaches a height of around 5′ (1.5m) and a spread of 3′ (1m). It is attractive to wildlife, particularly bees and butterflies, and will grow in any soil, so long as it is wet, or at least moist. It will not grow in full shade. Propagation by seed is very easy, you can either sow it under cover, potting on until large enough to plant out in summer, or sow direct. It can also be propagated by dividing existing clumps in spring or fall. Divisions can be planted in their final positions immediately.
Hemp agrimony has a strong scent reminiscent of cedar when crushed. The juice extracted from the leaves can be used as an insect repellent, suitable for use on animals.
Hemp agrimony was once used extensively in herbal medicine. However, more recently the presence of some potentially cancerous pyrrolizidine alkaloids which it contains has led to it being restricted for use under professional supervision only.
You may have a suitable area to grow hemp agrimony, which is valuable because of its attractiveness, both to humans and wildlife. As it prefers wet soil, it may also be useful in places where other ornamental plants won’t grow. Plants which grow in these conditions are best grown organically, as chemicals can easily leach into the water and cause damage to other plants, creatures and even small children. To find out more about growing organic hemp agrimony, visit the Gardenzone.
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