Eutrochium purpureum (Sweet Joe Pye Weed)

Eutrochium purpureum is a great Joe Pye Weed for home gardens, being more tolerant of dry periods and shade than other species. It will grow best in moist soils, but can be a candidate for rain gardens, especially when established. Eutrochium purpureum can grow in wooded areas with dappled shade, but for profuse blooms, 4 to 6 hours of sun is ideal. Flower stalks can grow up to 7’ from mature plants with a 3’ spread, and the showy flowers appear in plumes of light pink to purple. Most notable is the sweet fragrance of the flowers. While somewhat deer resistant, browse may occur until plants grow above browsing height.

Many is the naturalist in a wooded mountain clearing who has come upon a patch of Joe Pye Weed in summer, entranced by clouds of butterflies feeding on the abundant nectar. While we can’t promise this dreamy vision, it is true that Eutrochium species are great for pollinators, butterflies in particular. The deep florets are best accessible by insects with longer tongues, such as certain types of bees, bee-mimic flies, moths, and numerous colorful butterflies. Eutrochium purpureum has been an observed host for caterpillars of numerous Lepidoptera species, making it important not just as a source for adult butterflies, but for younger insects, and thus baby birds. The tall stalks can tower over other garden plants, so it is best as a backdrop or in a larger landscape - especially low wet areas. Leave the hollow stems to overwinter and trim to 8”-24” in spring and leave for another year to provide habitat for stem-nesting bees.

Pollinators: bumblebees, leafcutter and resin bees, long-horned bees, honey bees, butterflies, skippers, moths, bee flies, wasps

Host Plant for Butterflies/Moths: 10+ Lepidoptera species in our region

Dependent Species: Joe Pye Weed Borer (Papaipema eupatorii)

Wildlife Value: Songbirds, Thrushes, Wood Warblers, shelter, hollow-stems

Deer Resistance: Moderate

Native Region: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Seed Origin: USA

USDA Zones: 3-8

States found in our region: AL, DE, GA, KY, MD, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV

Other states found: AR, CT, FL, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, RI, VT, WI