Joe-Pye Weed

Eastern and central North America are home to the late-blooming wildflower known as Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum). Typically, it forms erect clusters that can reach heights of several feet. It has lance-shaped, robust stems with up to a foot-long, serrated, dark green leaves. And the small flowers begin to blossom in big bunches atop the stems around midsummer. Because of their sweet vanilla aroma, these blossoms are particularly appealing to butterflies and other pollinators. The optimum time to plant Joe Pye weeds is in the spring after the risk of frost has passed. The plant is growing quickly.

It is a low-maintenance plant that, because of its amazing size and fragrant blossoms, is well worth growing. To accommodate its height and canopy, it needs space when you first plant it. However, it can look fantastic when placed behind groups of plants to provide height, along borders, and in wildflower gardens. In addition to being very easy to reproduce, adult Joe Pye weed can be multiplied most easily by splitting. To divide plants, cut directly into the ground between the stems with a sharp shovel. Anywhere you want, replant seeds at the same depth in well-watered soil.