Common name: Joe Pye Weed
Joe Pye weed is a tall robust upright perennial with a purple stem that is mostly hollow. The lance shaped leaves are 8-12 in long, and arranged in whorls of 4-7 at each node on the stem. The leaves have a vanilla scent when crushed. The showy flower clusters are up to 18 in across and invariably covered with butterflies, wasps, beetles and other nectar sipping insects from summer until late autumn. The height of Joe Pye Weed makes it an excellent background plant in border perennial beds, but is also majestic standing alone making it one of the showiest perennials in autumn. Flower color is darker in cooler weather. The plant is named after an American Indian named Joe Pye, who was said to have cured typhus with it.
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PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb (Aster Family)
Size: Height:5 – 8 ft, Width: 3 – 4 ft
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink, Purplish-mauve
Bloom Time: August – December (Late Summer – Late Autumn)
Distribution
USA: FL, LO, NO, TX, VA, NC, SC, GA, MD, PA, NY, NJ, CT, NH, RI, MA, ME , IA
Canada: QB and Newfoundland.
Native Habitat: moist fields and pastures, along road shoulders, streams, and at the edges of woods
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Full Sun, partial shade tolerance is intermediate
Soil Moisture: moist to wet, drought tolerant but not as robust
Soil pH: acidic (4.7-7.0)
Soil Description: fine to medium textured soils, moist and wet
Conditions Comments: Low drought tolerance. Joe Pye weed is a tall, dominating plant – not for the tidy flower bed or formal border. Grow Joe Pyes in a semi-wild naturalistic garden or alongside a stream or pond. They are big and bold enough to hold their own amongst shrubs in a mixed border. Joe Pye weed can be one of the structural focal points of the autumn garden. Plant them along the back fence or at the rear of a mixed border.
Propagation
Description: easily propagated by dividing the root clumps with a sharp shovel or spade during the dormant season. Bare root, and sprig propagation are also successful. Division, as well as thinning should be done frequently to ensure vigorous growth and reduce spread.
Seed Collection: about one month after flowering when heads dry, split, and fluffy seeds begin to float away. Sow in Fall thickly as germination rates are very low. Seeds last up to three years.
Commercially Avail: Yes
WILDLIFE ADVANTAGES
Nectar is very attractive to a variety of pollinators including butterflies, moths, wasps, and long-tongued bees.
Why plant natives?
Native plants provide a beautiful, hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance landscape that benefits the environment in many ways. Once established, native plants save time and money by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for water, fertilizers, pesticides and maintenance. Planting natives provides a diverse habitat, shelter and food source for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, and promotes biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage.
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