(Eutrochium maculatum ‘Joe Pye Weed’)
Joe Pye Weed is a native clump-forming perennial flower that grows in coastal regions and damp meadows throughout the northeastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 4-7' and features purple speckled branching stems, 8” medium green lance-shaped leaves, and clusters of aromatic florets that are light to dark purple. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinating moths, tolerates drought, and has medicinal properties!
-
General Information
-
Germination
-
Seedling
-
Harvesting
-
Seed Saving
-
Medicinal
-
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 naturally found growing in dry, rocky woods and prairies 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 attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is edible and medicinal, is used as a cut flower, is drought tolerant, is used to flavor perfumes, makes 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 naturally grows in moist meadows, woods, and prairies throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a 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, and hummingbirds, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, has medicinal uses, is resistant to deer, and is used as a cut flower!