Joe Pye weed

Joe Pye weed is a showstopper of a prairie native, producing huge, puffy flower heads in late summer. It prefers moist soils, but with its extensive root system, it also tolerates drought well. It is a large plant, growing 4 to 6 feet tall.

Closely related, hardy ageratum is a spreading plant that grows to only 2 feet tall. Another relative, white snakeroot, reaches 4 to 5 feet tall. All are great for naturalistic or cottage plantings and for attracting butterflies.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

3-10

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

2-6 feet tall

Plant Width:

2-4 feet wide

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders,Privacy,Groundcover

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Fragrant,Attracts Butterflies,Drought Tolerant,Deer Resistant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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'Chocolate' white snakeroot

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' has white, fuzzy flowers on 3- to 5-foot-tall plants. Its bronzy purple foliage turns greener as the season progresses. Zones 3-7
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'Gateway' Joe Pye weed

Eupatorium maculatum 'Gateway' is a selection that is slightly shorter than the species, growing 4 to 5 feet tall. Zones 3-7
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Hardy ageratum

Eupatorium coelestinum has fuzzy, purple-blue flowers that resemble those of annual ageratum in late summer and fall. The plant spreads quickly by shallow stolons below the soil surface, so plant it with caution. Zones 4-10
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Joe Pye weed

Eupatorium maculatum is a striking plant for the back of the border, with 10- to 12-inch rosy flower clusters atop 5- to 6-foot-tall burgundy stems. Zones 3-7
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'Little Joe' Joe Pye weed

Eupatorium dubium 'Little Joe' is a compact plant that grows 4 feet tall, making it suitable for smaller gardens. Its mauve-purple flowers begin to bloom in midsummer. Zones 3-7
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Garden Plans

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Dramatic Entrance Garden Plan
Fall Color Garden Plan
Downspout Garden
Easy-Care Mixed Fall Garden Plan
Year-Round Excitement Garden Plan
No-Fuss Bird and Butterfly Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Miscanthus

The silvery seed heads of _Miscanthus_ combine well with the large purply mauve flower clusters of Joe Pye weed in the late-summer garden.

Russian sage

Russian sage, with its silvery foliage and purple flowers, looks great at the base of Joe Pye weed. Russian sage forms a nice transition from super tall Joe Pye weed to lower-growing perennials.

Feather reedgrass

Stiffly upright feather reedgrass, with its slender, creamy tan seed heads, teams well with coarser clumps of Joe Pye weed.

Propagation

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Seed
Division