(Eutrochium maculatum ‘Joe Pye Weed’)

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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
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Family: Asteraceae

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
Direct sow in late fall, pressing the seeds into the surface of the soil since they need light to germinate. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days before direct sowing. To start indoors, scatter the seed on the surface of the soil in a flat; compress the soil slightly and keep it lightly moist until germination, which is naturally slow but should take place within 2-3 months. Keep the soil consistently moist, and transplant seedlings as soon as they reach a height of several inches.​
Keep seedlings watered, since they need even moisture in their first year of development; they may not bloom until their second year of growth. Mature plants can tolerate drought, though they reach their full potential in moist, well-drained soil. This plant may spread by rhizomes and self-seeding, and can be divided after several years of growth. Cut the plant down to the ground after the first frost. This plant attracts butterflies and bees.
For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water.
Late in the season, these fuzzy flowers will begin to turn dull brown. Snip off entire heads and spread them out in a protected location to prevent the light seed from blowing away. When the heads have completely dried, shake them to remove the seed. The fluff attached to the seeds does not affect germination. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
n natural medicine, you can use Joe Pye Weed in a number of different ways. The roots are considered especially beneficial and are gathered to be dried, ground and brewed as an herbal tea tonic.

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.
Try pairing Eupatorium maculatum with Aster oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’, Coreopsis tripteris, Echinacea purpurea, Lobelia siphilitica, Monarda fistulosa, Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida, Silphium perfoliatum, Solidago odora or Sorghastrum nutans.

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!
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(Echinacea purpurea ‘Purple’)

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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! 
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