Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers rich, humusy soils. Tolerant of hot and humid summers. May self-seed in optimum growing conditions.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Patrinia villosa is a stoloniferous, clump-forming plant which typically grows in a mound 2-3' tall. Tiny white flowers (to 3/16" across) appear in loose clusters (cymes) slightly above the foliage in late summer. Flowers are followed by attractive seed heads. Coarsely-toothed, simple to pinnatifid, ovate leaves (to 6" long).
Genus name honors Eugene L. M. Patrin (1724-1815), French mineralogist who travelled from 1780 to 1787 in Siberia and elsewhere in Asia and collected plants as well as minerals.
Specific epithet means covered with small hairs.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Borders. Cottage gardens. Valued for long, late summer bloom.