Sweet Joe-Pye Weed

Sweet Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

Sweet-scented Joe-Pye Weed — formerly Eupatorium purpureum

Full sun to shade, moderately wet to moderately dry moisture level, tolerates clay soil; moderately acid to neutral pH.

3–6 feet tall, blooms summer to fall with domed clusters of dusty pink-purple flowers; vanilla-scented when foliage is crushed; spreads by re-seeding and slowly by short rhizomes.

Germination Code: C(30), G — cold stratification 30 days. Division in early spring every 4–5 years maintains productivity.

Native region: Statewide in Tennessee, lightly in West Tennessee; occurs in moist woodlands, open woods, and woodland edges.

Of the Tennessee Joe-Pye-Weed species, E. purpureum is the most shade- and drought-tolerant — it will grow and bloom adequately in conditions that would reduce E. fistulosum to sparse foliage. This makes it the preferred choice for the partly shaded back-of-border or woodland-edge sites common in older Columbia-area neighborhoods. The vanilla fragrance of the flowers is a reliable identification feature in late July and August. Deer generally avoid it. Attracts a wide range of late-season butterflies, including migrating monarchs; swallowtails are consistent visitors. Allow seed heads to stand through winter for goldfinch and native sparrow foraging.