Eutrochium maculatum, aka 'Joe Pye Weed'

Let's set the record straight: Joe Pye Weed is NOT a weed! It's an amazing native perennial with an unfortunate name. It supports an abundance of wildlife and should be a part of every home garden. (Joe Pye Weed was formerly classified as Eupatorium, in case you're confused.)

designing with joy pye weed

I grow Joy Pye Weed in both my east and south borders, and it has also naturalized (seeded itself) under the birch tree in the northwest bed. Slow to rise in spring (it can be May before it makes an appearance) it quickly gains height and bulk with gorgeous, whirled foliage. Due to its height, I recommend a back of the border location with ample, consistent moisture and room to spread. It’s difficult to imagine just how large this plant will have become in summer when looking at the tiny sprouts emerging in early May! I have also successfully used the ‘Chelsea Chop’ method in late May to stunt its growth a bit. It will still grow tall, but will require less staking.

Monarch on Joe Pye Weed

I like to combine Joe Pye with other pinky-lavender plants like verbena hastata, persicaria and monarda, then add a yellowy-orange companion like echinacea ‘Little Henry’ as a focal point.

  • Plant type: perennial, native to the US

  • Growing Conditions: full to part sun; medium to wet soil, tolerates clay

  • Size: from 3-7' depending upon the variety

  • Spread: 4-5', non-invasive, spreads slowly, can be divided and moved, may reseed with help from songbirds

  • Bloom: late-July to September in Zone 5b

  • Maintenance: no maintenance, dried seed heads can remain into winter; recommend early staking with "grow-through" plant props to keep individual stalks evenly spaced and upright in heavy rain

  • Pairings: Filipendula, Thalictrum, Agastache, Shasta Daisy

  • Location: plant in back of border and with earlier blooming tall plants like Filipendula 'Queen of the Prairie' and Thalictrum 'Meadow Rue'

  • Biodiversity: habitat and nectar for Swallowtails, Monarchs, Skippers and moths

  • Host Plant: Eupatorium Borer Moth, Three Lined Flower Moth Expect some leaf damage from caterpillars in late May. By June, the damage will be hidden by new foliage and by August those caterpillars will now be gorgeous butterflies sipping the Joe Pye Weed nectar during the day and equally beautiful moths at night!

  • Sourcing: available through The Big Little Garden

Caterpillar feasts on Joe Pye

important host plant

Every May and June, my Joe Pye Weed leaves are turned to swiss cheese, but that's OK. I know that it is an important food source and host plant for Swallowtails, Spotted Skippers, Painted Ladies, Eastern Tailed Blues and many different moths that will grace its blooms in a few weeks time.

Click through the photos above for a closer look at Joe Pye Weed growing in two different sun/shade locations in The Big Little Garden. Observe how the leaf damage seen in June has completely disappeared beneath whorls of beautiful, damage-free foliage.

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