Common Name: Joe Pye weed
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 5.00 to 6.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Purple-pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Rain Garden
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade, particularly in hot summer climates. Prefers moist, fertile, humusy soils which do not dry out. Cut plants to the ground in late winter.
Best propagation is by cuttings.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Eutrochium maculatum, commonly known as Joe Pye weed, is native to damp meadows, thickets and coastal areas in eastern North America. Plants typically grow 4-7’ tall on branched, purple-speckled stems clad with serrate, lance-shaped, medium green leaves (to 8” long) that typically appear in whorls of 3-6. Tiny, light to deep purple flowers in compound inflorescences bloom from mid-summer to early fall.
Genus name is derived from the Greek words eu meaning well and troche meaning wheel-like in reference to the whorled leaves.
Specific epithet means spottted in reference to the spottted stems.
‘Reisenschirm’ typically grows to 5-6’ tall on stems that are deep purple. Flowers are purple-pink and bloom in large compound inflorescences from July into September in the St. Louis area. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies. Flowers give way to attractive seed heads which persist well into winter and are a good food source for some birds.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Leaves may scorch if soils are allowed to dry out.
Uses
Tall plant for moist soils in borders, cottage gardens, meadows, native plant gardens, wild/naturalized areas or water margins.