Agrimony
Agrimonia eupatoria
Agrimony is an upright perennial herb topped with slender spires of small yellow flowers that smell faintly of apricot. A traditional medicinal plant, it produces bur-like seeds that cling to passersby.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate; well-drained soil
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) is a rose-family perennial recognized by its tall, tapering wands of tiny yellow flowers, earning it the folk name 'church steeples.' Its softly hairy, divided leaves form an attractive basal clump.
Long used in European herbal medicine, agrimony was valued for wounds, digestion, and as a gargle. After flowering it forms small hooked burs that hitchhike on fur and clothing to spread seed.
How to identify it
- Leaves: Pinnate, softly hairy leaves with toothed leaflets of alternating sizes
- Flowers: Slender erect spikes of small, five-petaled yellow flowers opening from the bottom up
- Scent: Faint apricot-like fragrance from the foliage and flowers
- Seed: Bristly, hooked burs that cling to animals and clothing
- Habit: Upright perennial 1-3 ft tall
Care & growing
Light: Full sun to light shade.
Water: Average moisture in well-drained soil; moderately drought-tolerant.
Soil: Tolerates poor, dry, calcareous soils.
Temperature: Hardy to USDA zone 6 (sometimes lower).
Feeding: Minimal; thrives without fertilizer.
Propagation: Sow seed in autumn or divide established clumps in spring. Self-seeds modestly via clinging burs.
Habitat & origin
Agrimony is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, growing in meadows, hedgerows, woodland edges, and grassy banks, often on chalky soils.
It has naturalized in parts of North America and is grown in herb gardens, wildflower meadows, and pollinator plantings.
Uses & benefits
- Medicinal (traditional): Used in teas and tinctures for sore throats, wounds, and digestive upsets; a long-standing astringent herb
- Ornamental: Elegant flower spires suit meadow and cottage gardens
- Ecological: Provides nectar and pollen for bees and other insects
- Practical: Yields a yellow dye from the whole plant
Frequently asked questions
Why is agrimony called church steeples?
Because of its tall, slender, tapering spikes of yellow flowers that resemble a church spire.
What does agrimony smell like?
The leaves and flowers give off a faint apricot-like fragrance, especially when brushed or crushed.
What was agrimony used for traditionally?
It was a popular astringent herb for sore throats, wounds, and digestive complaints, often taken as a tea.
Do agrimony seeds stick to clothes?
Yes. The seeds form small hooked burs that catch on fur and fabric, helping the plant disperse.
Agrimony guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Agrimony.
