American feverfew is a native perennial that brings the wild spirit of Ozark prairies and rocky glades into your garden. This clump-forming herb thrives in hardiness zones 5 through 8, reaching 24 to 36 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches. From June through September, it produces fragrant, showy flowers that attract pollinators and naturalize beautifully in informal settings. Unlike its close cousin wild quinine, American feverfew distinguishes itself with distinctly hairy stems and lower leaves, plus a creeping rootstock that allows it to establish itself gradually across well-drained soil.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-8
36in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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Rough hairs coat the stems and lower leaves of this prairie native, a textural detail that sets it apart from related species and hints at its drought tolerance. It thrives with minimal fuss in average to dry soils, asking for nothing more than full sun or partial shade and moderate water once established. The fragrant flowers bloom prolifically from early summer through fall, making it equally valuable to bees and to gardeners seeking low-maintenance color.
American feverfew is best used for naturalizing in prairie gardens, xeriscapes, and other informal plantings where its drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements shine. Its fragrant flowers support native pollinators and integrate seamlessly into mixed perennial borders designed to mimic natural prairie communities.
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“American feverfew is native to the limestone glades, bald knobs, and rocky prairies of the Ozark region in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. In Missouri specifically, it has remained a presence on the state's characteristic limestone landscapes for generations. The species name hispidum, derived from Latin, refers to the distinctive hairy covering on its stems and lower leaves that separates it from Parthenium integrifolium, the more commonly cultivated wild quinine. Its creeping rootstock and adaptation to harsh, dry prairie conditions reflect thousands of years of survival in one of North America's most demanding ecosystems.”