Eutrochium purpureum var. purpureum (Native)

Non-native plants this species can replace:
Common Name
Sweet-scented joe-pye-weed
Purple joe-pye weed
Sweet joepyeweed
Gravel weed
Indian sage
Motherwort
Pride of the meadow
Marsh milkweed
Plant Form
Herbs
Duration
Perennial
Max Height (ft)
7.0
Width (ft)
2.0 - 4.0
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Hardiness Zone
5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Commercially Available


Nurseries that may carry seeds:

My Native Garden

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Photographer: susancolman
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Additional Info

Habitat: Mesic to dry-mesic upland forests; less frequently in dry forests, woodlands, barrens, well-drained floodplain forests, seepage swamps, and fens. Common in the Virginia mountains and inner Piedmont; infrequent in the outer Piedmont and Coastal Plain.

Wildlife Value: The flowers attract butterflies, skippers, moths, and bees. Caterpillars feed on the leaves. The seed heads provide food for the birds.

Pruning Guidance
Pruning Time
Late spring (after insect emergence)
Pruning Method
Cut stems to 8–24 inches in spring
Chop-and-drop
Wildlife Benefits
Seedheads provide winter food for birds
Standing stems support overwintering insects
Cut stems retained at 8–24 inches support insect habitat
Pruning Notes
Leave stems and seedheads standing through fall and winter. Birds eat the seeds, and insects shelter in and on the stems. In late spring, after several nights above 50°F, cut the old stems to 8 to 24 inches at varied heights. Bees and other insects nest in the cut stubs the following summer. Lay the cut tops loosely in the bed so insects still inside can emerge.
Flower Color
Pink
Purple/lavender
Flower Prominence
Conspicuous
Bloom Time
Early Summer
Late Summer
Fall
Bloom Month
July
August
September
Light Requirements
Full sun
Partial sun
Moisture Requirements
Wet
Moist
Soil Texture
Clay
Loamy
Sandy
Low Maintenance
Yes
Deer Resitant
Yes
Seed or Fruit eaten by wildlife?
Yes
Pollinators
Bees
Butterfiles
Tolerates