Common Name: Joe Pye weed
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 2.00 to 2.75 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 2.50 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Red-purple
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile, humusy soils which do not dry out. Tolerant of clay soils. Cut plants to the ground in late winter. Best propagated by stem cuttings. This species generally grows better in open woodland areas than E. maculatum which generally likes moister soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Eutrochium purpureum, commonly called Joe Pye weed, is a tall Missouri native perennial that occurs in low moist ground, wooded slopes, wet meadows and thickets and stream margins throughout the State (Steyermark). It is an erect, clump-forming perennial which typically grows 4-7’ tall and features coarsely-serrated, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 12” long) in whorls of 3-4 on sturdy green stems with purplish leaf nodes. Tiny, vanilla-scented, dull pinkish-purple flowers in large, terminal, domed, compound inflorescences bloom in mid-summer to early fall. Each flower cluster typically has 5-7 florets. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies. Flowers give way to attractive seed heads which persist well into winter.
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 purple.
'FLOREUPRE1' is a compact, upright selection of Joe Pye weed. Mature clumps will reach up to 2.75' tall and 2.5' wide. The sturdy stems are topped with 10" wide, compound corymbs of aster-type flowers with red-purple disc florets. The flowers do not have any appreciable fragrance. The blooms last from mid-summer to early fall and will persist on the plants through winter. Commonly sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name EUPHORIA RUBY. This plant is protected by patent number PP31668.
Problems
Leaves may scorch if soils are allowed to dry out. Powdery mildew and rust may occur. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Suitable for small groupings or large, mass plantings in mixed borders, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, and pond margins.