September Perennial of the Month-Rattlesnake master

The common name, rattlesnake master, supposedly comes from the medicinal properties of Eryngium yuccifolium to cure snake bites. One must wonder just exactly what had to happen for the folks back then to realize…it doesn’t work.

It does induce vomiting, so the Native Americans/First Nations people used it to purge and cleanse their systems. The takeaway on all this is: plant it, don’t eat it.

For those who question why to add such a plant to their gardens, well, this Missouri Native has a lot going for it. Notice I said ‘native’. Picture the Mid-Western Prairie where plants like rattlesnake master grow deep tap roots and thrive under a blazing sun, followed by harsh winters, drought, rainstorms…all the elemental extremes that make St. Louis … well, St. Louis. This plant can take them ALL. 

When it comes to pollinators, rattlesnake master is tops again, attracting a diverse set of bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies with blooms that peak in June-September and have a unique spherical shape and neutral gray-white color.

So we’ve covered hardiness, range, pollinators, blooms, and even vomiting, so what more can you ask for in a plant? What about looks? Not many perennials fall into the coveted ‘winter interest’ category, but rattlesnake master’s structural stems and flowers do the trick. I would consider it a ‘Three-Season’ plant; spring is the only time of year it doesn’t stand out. With so many positive features, we can overlook that whole vomit-inducing bit, which is what MBG did when they deemed Eryngium yuccifolium a Plant of Merit.

What I love about this plant;

-It’s native and tough!

-The three-season structure and interest.

-Excellent pollinator plant

-Neutral bloom color that complements every color.

What’s not so great;

-Can be a bit floppy if not supported either by other plants or with stakes.

-If grown in too fertile soil, will not be happy and sprawl, etc..

-Needs WELL-DRAINED soil. 

-Won’t cure snake bites but WILL induce vomiting. Keep pets and children (and adults who make poor choices) away or informed.

Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com

Words and photos by Jo Batzer

© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.