Fragrant Fall Blooms Delight Gardeners and Wildlife Alike on Shrubby Boneset

Ageratina havanensis

When flowers have almost disappeared from the garden in November, count on shrubby boneset to bloom and supply nectar for many pollinators. Shrubby boneset, also known as white mistflower, will have beloved pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flocking to your yard as the days grow shorter. Read on to learn more about this incredible native plant and how you can incorporate it into your garden!

Growing Conditions

Shrubby boneset is a large herbaceous, clump-forming, perennial plant. This beautiful flower is native to Texas and flourishes in our 9a and 9b plant-hardiness zones. In its natural environment, it is found from rocky outcrops to moist streambeds. The small white flowers may persist through winter, adding visual interest to your garden. Reaching four to six feet tall and with a two-to-four-foot spread, shrubby boneset can form colonies which serve as a pollinator magnet. 

This adaptable native grows well in full sun to partial shade, thrives in most well-drained soils and can grow in both sandy and clay soil if plenty of organic matter is available. When adding shrubby boneset to the garden, provide two to three feet of planting space. For best spring blooms, cut the plants back by about half each winter. Shrubby boneset is semi-evergreen, so it will still add color to your winter garden when not in bloom.

As both a low maintenance and drought tolerant plant, this is great option for anyone who lacks a green thumb! In addition to drawing wildlife and pollinators, shrubby boneset produces fragrant blooms which may be used as cut flowers or dried to become attractive additions to a winter floral arrangement. The opportunities to enrich your home landscape with this native plant are endless!

Adding Shrubby Boneset to Your Home Landscape

Are you ready to add shrubby boneset to your garden? The best time to plant is now! With a little bit of looking, you can find shrubby boneset at a local plant nursey near you. You may also have luck locating this star player at a plant sale by your local Master Gardener or Native Plant Society chapter. If you have trouble finding an option in your community, consider reaching out to Environmental Services or online retailers that specialize in native plants. Enriching your garden with colorful blooms throughout the year doesn’t have to be hard – try your hand at growing shrubby boneset and enjoy the birds, bees, and butterflies that visit your winter garden.

For more details about this beautiful native, visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Finder.