Spotted Joe Pye Weed

Spotted Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Angiosperms

Class: Dicot

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Eutrochium

Species: maculatum

Where in the OLL?

  • This plant can be found growing in several places in the GCC wildflower meadow.
  • Joe Pye weed was planted because it is attractive to many species of butterflies, and long-tongued bees. In addition, it is an aesthetically pleasing species in our wildflower meadow.

Plant growth form

  • Joe Pye Weed is an herbaceous perennial plant
  • Joe Pye Weed has rhizomes (a type of underground stem) that allow it to be perennial, since the above-ground vegetation dies back each year
  • Joe Pye Weed reaches between 2-6 feet tall when full grown, and 2-4 feet wide
  • The leaves are coarsely toothed, ovate (egg shaped), and arranged in whorls of 4 or 5 around the stem of the plant.

Flowers, fruits & pollinators

  • Joe Pye Weed has a composite flower, meaning it has several smaller flowers that appear to be one flower.
  • Flower clusters occurs as 9-22 tubular flowers per head.
  • Spotted Joe Pye Weed has purple or purple spotted flowers. Often the color appears to be a dusky pink/purple.
  • Flowers from July-September
  • The flower is perfect/bisexual
  • Flowers are small (⅓ inch wide), and tubular.
  • Each flower has 2 long stringy styles and 5 tiny petal lobes.
  • The petals are fused into one tubular corolla. Because each floret is so slim and densely clustered, it can be initially difficult to distinguish that there are actually many small flowers packed together to create each “fluffy” appearing head. Typical of the Aster family, many flowers together give the appearance of being one.

Ideal location, conditions & cultural needs

  • Prefers moist, rich soils, but it will grow in sandy soils if there is adequate moisture.
  • Neutral to slightly acidic soils
  • Plant prefers partial shade, however, seeds ripen best in full sun.
  • USDA cold hardiness zones 2-9

Planning & maintenance

  • Joe Pye Weed will grow into individual clumps that can be divided
  • Can grow to be tall and top heavy, and sometimes lean when this happens. Some gardeners will grow Joe Pye behind other sturdy plants that will act as support. You can also trim down stems half way in mid-June, and a shorter plant will be produced.
  • A full grown plant will need 2-4 feet of space
  • Does not spread vigorously

Cultivars & propagation

There are about 13 cultivars on the market, and the most highly rated for gardens are:

  • E. dubium ‘Baby Joe’
  • E. dubium ‘Little Joe’
  • E. fistulosum ‘Carin’
  • E. fistulosum ‘Bartered Bride’
  • E. maculatum ‘Phantom’
  • E. maculatum ‘Purple Bush’
  • The best way to propagate this plant is by seed, which can be planted in the soil during the fall. Seeds planted in the fall will grow into plants the following spring. The seedbed should be kept moist. Seeds can also be stored in a sealed bag or jar in the refrigerator until sown.
  • Mature plants can also be divided and replanted. Each mature plant has a dense fibrous root system with several stems shooting up from the center.
  • This plant can be purchased at Nasami Farm in Whately.

Pests & pathogens

  • Joe Pye Weed is prone to powdery mildew
    • Suggestions to avoid the spread of powdery mildew:
      • Space plants well so that there is adequate airflow
      • If the mildew is only on a few leaves, remove those leaves
      • Prune out infected stems

Landscape & ecosystem

  • Spotted Joe Pye Weed can add beautiful (sometimes dusky) pink and purple hues to a landscape. Its almost “fluffy” appearance softens a landscape and gives good contrast to other wildflowers that may be grouped in an area. In addition, it attracts colorful butterflies!
  • This flower’s nectar supplies essential food for butterflies, bees and other small insects.
  • Deer resistant- Joe Pye Weed species will not be eaten by deer.

Human uses

  • Some records indicate that Joe Pye Weed is named after a Native American doctor who popularized using the plant medicinally. Joe Pye Weed’s root has potential medicinal properties that were used by Native Americans to induce sweating to treat typhus fever. The whole herb and roots are listed as being used for several other ailments, or as a relaxant, but should not be used without supervision or advice from a medical professional.
Plant catalogued by Allison Cwalinski
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