Joe Pye Weed – Simcoe County Master Gardener

Simcoe County Master Gardeners

Grow Natives!

PLANT PROFILE

COMMON NAME: Joe-Pye Weed

BINOMIAL: Eutrochium purpureum

Family	Asteraceae
Cdn Native Range	Ontario and Manitoba
Natural habitat	damp meadows, near streams or in drainage ditches
Type	herbaceous perennial
Features	small mauve or pink-purple flowers on tall stems
Growth habit	tall erect, clump forming
Mature height	150 – 200 cm (5 – 7 ft)
Mature spread	60 – 120 cm (2 – 4 ft)
Life span	n/a
Cdn Hardiness Zone	3 – 7
Growing conditions	full sun to partial shade; give plant plenty of space to accommodate height and spread
Soil conditions	moist well-drained organic soil; tolerant of clay soil and wet soil
Watering needs	water in the first growing season; water during hot weather; maintain soil moisture
Fertilizer needs	compost into the soil in spring; mulch around the plant to retain soil moisture
Tolerance	too much shade will encourage legginess and cause the plant to flop over
Maintenance rank	low; stake if too heavy with blooms
Maintenance needs	deadheading not recommended; cut stalks back ahead of winter; to limit the overall size cut the stems back by half in June to encourage more stems and shorter, bushier growth.
Bloom	midsummer to fall; tiny pink flowers in large clusters; sweet vanilla scent that is especially attractive to butterflies and other pollinators
Fruit	n/a
Pollinator support	nectar and pollen for many butterfly species including monarchs, honeybees, bumblebees and insects
Environmental support	host plant for caterpillars and moth larvae; supports birds with seeds; hollow stems provide shelter for insects and birds
Garden Use	pollinator gardens; rain gardens; back of flower beds
Risks & Cautions	susceptible to powdery mildew; prevent by avoiding overhead watering and giving the plant plenty of space for air circulation; planting mildew resistant varieties; deer resistant