Elecampane

This herbaceous perennial has the most gorgeous, tropical looking leaves!!  Ok yes, it flowers too, but not until it's 3 years old.  And honestly, if it never flowered, we'd be ok with that because we are obsessed with the leaves!! These pics are from Jess' yard over the last 3 years.  

The roots of elecampane are used for many ailments, especially respiratory issues including bronchial infections and chronic cough.  If you're growing for medicinal usage, you can harvest the root in the autumn of the 2nd year.  

Thrives in full sun or partial shade.  Not picky about soil type but it needs to be well-draining.  Blooms the third year after sowing. Grows 3-5′ tall (most of the height is when it flowers) and 2-3' wide.  Deer resistant.  Generally pest free.   

• Days to Maturity: 90
• Companion Plants: Beans, Cucamelon, Echinacea, Nasturtium, Yarrow, Zinnia
  
• Open Pollinated (OP)
  
• Plant Spacing: 24"  

Photo credit: Jess Page