Walton's Plant Library

Other Names:  Eupatorium purpureum, Boneset

Description:

A lovely upright perennial blooming in the summer and continuing into the fall; pretty rose colored flower plumes rise above dark green foliage; fast growing, great for woodland gardens, beds and containers; excellent for cut flower arrangements

Ornamental Features

Joe Pye Weed has masses of beautiful plumes of lightly-scented rose flowers at the ends of the stems from late summer to late fall, which emerge from distinctive fuchsia flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its large serrated narrow leaves emerge dark green in spring, turning forest green in color throughout the season. The burgundy stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Joe Pye Weed is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Joe Pye Weed is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Joe Pye Weed will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 feet apart. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.