Eupatorium 'Chocolate'

This eupatorium, which has just recently emerged and will grow much larger, is one of my favorite plants.  I like it because it holds the deep 'chocolate' color of stems and leaf shading through the year, and in the shade.  It is one of the few perennials that waits until late September or October to bloom.  Since our perennial bloom succession begins here in February most are done blooming by June.  The few that actually wait until fall are desirable plants.  The creamy puffs of flowers on this one belong to autumn.