Agrimony: planting, growing, benefits

Botany

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Agrimony is a herbaceous perennial plant. There are 18 different species, mainly from temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, but the best-known is Agrimonia eupatoria (not to be confused with Eupatoriums, such as Eupatorium maculatum!). It can be easily found in the wild in France, across the entire metropolitan territory. It grows at the edge of woods, along paths, in fields, meadows, clearings, and uncultivated areas… It is a nitrophilous and bio-indicator plant: it naturally grows in nitrogen-rich soils.

Agrimony is part of the large family of Rosaceae. It is therefore a cousin of roses, but also of most cultivated fruit trees (apple trees, pear trees, cherry trees, raspberry bushes, strawberry plants…), as well as many ornamental plants, such as avens, potentillas, meadowsweet, and lady’s mantle.

The name agrimony comes from the Greek Argemônê, which refers to an eye ulcer, against which the plant was once used. The species name (eupatoria) comes from Mithridates VI Eupator, king of Pontus (132 – 63 BC), who discovered its virtues.

Agrimonia eupatoria: botanical illustration

Agrimony is a medicinal plant with numerous properties, used since antiquity. It was used by the Romans and Greeks, as well as other Mediterranean peoples. In the Middle Ages, it was believed to have magical properties. Its ancestral use has given it several common names: old man’s tea, wood tea, Saint William’s herb…

Agrimony is rich in tannins, silica, and flavonoids. Its richness in silica makes it remineralising, like horsetail. It has tonic, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. It is generally used in infusions, which gives it the nickname “wood tea”. It aids digestion, strengthens the respiratory system, protects and repairs mucous membranes. It is indicated for insomnia, diarrhoea, menstrual problems, sore throats, coughs, skin conditions, kidney issues… It is also used by singers to strengthen their vocal cords and prevent voice loss.

In addition to its many medicinal properties, it can also be used as a dye plant, to dye wool and cotton. It gives them a beautiful golden yellow colour.

It is also possible to make agrimony wine by fermenting leaves or flowers in sweetened water.

Agrimony is also edible, but has little culinary interest.

Agrimony forms a rosette of leaves, from which a stem rises bearing leaves and flowers. It generally reaches heights of 50-60 cm, but sometimes more, up to 1 m. The stems of agrimony are simple or weakly branched. They are pubescent and more or less reddish.

Although discreet when not in flower, agrimony nonetheless has a lovely dissected foliage. The leaves are divided into 5 to 9 large dentate leaflets, oval to lanceolate, interspersed with much smaller leaflets. The leaves are said to be odd-pinnate: composed of an odd number of leaflets, with a terminal leaflet. They are inserted alternately on the stem (one leaf after another), and are white and downy on the underside.

The flowering in fine clusters (photo Andrey Zharkikh), the detail of the flowers (photo Joan Simon), and the dissected foliage of Agrimonia eupatoria.

Agrimony flowers in summer, from June to September. It then produces upright, long, and fine clusters, consisting of small yellow flowers with five petals and five sepals (like most Rosaceae!). These flowers measure about 1 cm in diameter. They open successively from the bottom of the stem to the top. The flowers are hermaphroditic, bearing both male (stamens) and female (pistil) organs. There are between 5 and 20 stamens. The flowers are borne on a solitary, unbranched spike. They are slightly fragrant, reminiscent of apricot or citrus scents. In the garden, agrimony flowers are appreciated for their very bright hue! They catch the eye and bring dynamism to the flower beds, without being overly exuberant.

Agrimony is a melliferous plant that attracts bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. They come to consume the nectar of the flowers and simultaneously transport pollen from one plant to another.

Since agrimony is quite rarely cultivated, there are not many horticultural varieties. However, there is one with white flowers: Agrimonia eupatoria ‘Alba’! This white hue is very rare among agrimonies, most species having yellow flowers.

The fruits of agrimony are achenes, each containing one to two seeds. They have the particularity of being equipped with small hooks that allow them to cling to the fur of animals or clothing. This allows the plant to disperse its seeds far from the original plant. In the garden, agrimony tends to self-seed spontaneously.

After flowering, agrimony produces fruits equipped with hooks that cling to the fur of animals to disperse the seeds they contain! (photos Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova)

The main varieties of agrimony

Agrimonia eupatoria

This is the most common and frequently cultivated species. It produces lovely upright clusters of delicate yellow flowers at the end of summer.

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Agrimony - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds

If you wish to try sowing, feel free to order seeds. This is a more economical solution than young plants, but it requires more time and attention.

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Aigremoine eupatoire 'Alba'

This is a rare variety, distinguished by its white flowers!

• Flowering time July to October
• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the full description

There are not many horticultural varieties of agrimony, but there are different species: Agrimonia procera (which also grows in France), Agrimonia gryposepala, Agrimonia pilosa, Agrimonia striata, Agrimonia parviflora… The Agrimonia parviflora has very beautiful foliage, formed of long and slender leaflets. However, it is rare in cultivation!

Planting

Where to plant agrimony?

Plant agrimony preferably in full sun, or in partial shade. It enjoys cool, well-draining, rather rich and humus-bearing soils. In fact, it is a nitrophilous plant that naturally grows in nitrogen-rich soils. However, agrimony is not fussy; it will also thrive in poor and relatively dry soil. It will simply look more beautiful and develop better if planted in cooler, richer soil. Regarding pH, agrimony prefers neutral or alkaline soils but can also grow in slightly acidic soil.

Feel free to place it in a part of the garden that you allow to evolve naturally, intervening rarely.

For a more attractive effect, we recommend planting several young plants together, maintaining a distance of about 40 cm between them.

When to plant?

Plant agrimony in spring, around April, or in autumn.

How to plant?

1. Dig a planting hole two to three times the size of the root ball.
2. Add some well-decomposed compost to enrich the soil.
3. Gently remove the agrimony from its pot.
4. Place it in the planting hole.
5. Fill in around it with soil, taking care not to bury the basal leaves.
6. Water generously.

Continue to water in the weeks following planting until the agrimony is well established.

Entretien

As it grows naturally in France, at the edge of woods and in uncultivated areas, agrimony requires very little maintenance. Water regularly in the weeks following planting to help it settle and develop its root system. Afterwards, only water occasionally when you notice that the soil is dry. However, be cautious of excess moisture, which could lead to powdery mildew or root rot.

You can cut the flower stems when they have faded, or choose to leave them in place to give it a chance to self-seed!

Agrimony does not require more maintenance than these few precautions. It is a resilient plant, being little susceptible to diseases and pests. Moreover, if it thrives, there’s a good chance it will self-seed in the garden!

Harvest

The best time to harvest agrimony is when it is in full flowering, typically in July-August.

The aerial parts are used, mainly the leaves and flowers, as well as the stems if they are not too thick. Simply dry them by placing them in a dry, airy location, away from direct sunlight, and then store them in kraft paper bags or glass jars (provided they are completely dry, otherwise they may rot).

If you wish to use it as a tincture, harvest the leaves and flowers of agrimony at the end of summer. They should then be soaked in cold water, brought to a boil, and left to infuse for 1.5 hours.

Multiplication

Sowing

Sowing takes place in April.

We recommend stratifying the seeds in the refrigerator for one to two months before sowing. This will help break the dormancy of the seeds and promote good germination.

1. Prepare a pot with potting soil, then lightly firm it and level the surface.
2. Sow the seeds.
3. Cover with a thin layer of potting soil (about twice the size of the seed).
4. Water gently
5. Place the pot in a bright location, out of direct sunlight.
6. Ensure the substrate remains slightly moist until germination. Seeds take between 10 and 25 days to germinate.
7. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, repot them into individual pots or plant them outdoors (provided there is no longer a risk of frost).