(Eutrochium maculatum ‘Joe Pye Weed’)
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General Information
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Germination
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Seedling
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Harvesting
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Seed Saving
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Medicinal
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Companion Planting
Genus: Eutrochium
Species: maculatum
Variety: Joe Pye Weed
Also Known As: Spotted Joe Pye Weed, Queen of the Meadows, Gravel Root.
Native to: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): Summer-Fall
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist to Wet
Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Flowers attract butterflies, skippers, moths and native bees. This is a particular favorite of butterflies and often more than one species will be encountered on a flower cluster. Caterpillars of several Moth species feed on the foliage.
Height: 7-8'
Spacing: 18-24"
Sow Depth: On soil surface
Produces: branching stems that have purple specks, 8” medium green lance-shaped leaves, and clusters of aromatic florets that are light to dark purple.
USDA Zone: 3a-8b
The plant holds a long history of use in Native American and backwoods medicine. You can use the roots, leaves, and flowers of all varieties to create teas that are said to address problems as diverse as:
- Respiratory Problems
- Bladder Stones
- Kidney Stones
- Rheumatism
- Impotence
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Gout
The plant contains immune boosting polysaccharides, and stimulating the immune system may help the body to overcome fevers and illnesses on its own.
Suggested Varieties
(Monarda fistulosa ‘Wild’)
Wild Bergamot is a native perennial clump forming flower that is naturally found growing in dry rocky woods and dry prairies all across the United States. At maturity this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features a square like stem, aromatic greenish gray leaves, and globular clusters of two-lipped lavender flowers. This plant is best known for its ability to attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, but it also is both edible and medicinal, can be used as a cut flower, is drought tolerant, is used to flavor perfumes, make insect repellents and essential oils, is resistant to deer, and self sows!
(Echinacea purpurea ‘Purple’)
Only a few left!
Purple Coneflower is a native perennial flower that is commonly found growing in moist meadows, woods, and prairies throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-4' and features stiff stems, narrow hairy leaves, and 3-4” flower heads with drooping purplish pink petals and a spiny orange center cone. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, has medicinal uses, is resistant to deer, and is great as a cut flower!