Photo by Paul Henjum
Joe-Pye Weed is an impressive (six to nine feet), erect, sun-loving perennial which is found mostly in wet thickets and stream margins from Quebec to Texas. Leaves are lance-shaped and whorled around the hollow stem (a diagnostic character for the species). The stems, which are mostly unbranched, are green below with purple markings, turning more uniformly purplish above. The plant is dramatic looking in its color as well as its architectural height. It’s mauve, rosy pink, fragrant flowers appear as cone-shaped inflorescences on the purplish stems in late summer. It is excellent for attracting wildlife to the home landscape – birds, bees and butterflies flock to this plant!
Last Updated: May 15, 2019