The fragrant mistflower is an open shrub with slender branches that can grow up to six feet tall. It blooms in the fall with masses of white, fuzzy, fragrant flowers, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insects. It is commonly found on limestone hills and rocky ravines in the Edwards Plateau, Trans-Pecos, and Mexico. The light green, triangular-shaped leaves are 1 to 3 inches long with wavy edges. Like E. wrightii, it is more tolerant of dry conditions than most Eupatoriums and can tolerate poorly drained areas.

The fragrant mistflower grows well, partly shaded to primarily sunny sites, but will bloom profusely with more sun. It can be a showy plant in the garden during the fall or massed as an understory or edge plant in more naturalized sites. Heavy pruning in the winter will promote a denser shape and more flowers the following year, as the long-lasting blooms appear only on new wood.