Sweet Joe-Pye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum
General Information
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed is an easy-to-grow, upright, clump-forming herbaceous perennial.
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed is generally found on low moist ground, wooded slopes, in wet meadows and thickets and along stream margins. It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils having consistent moisture. It prefers full sun to part shade and is more tolerant of dry conditions than most Joe-Pye Weeds.
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed has dull pinkish-purple flowers in large, compound inflorescences. Sweet Joe-Pye Weed flowers between August and September. Flowers and crushed leaves are vanilla scented.
Plant Information
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Sun Preference:
Full Sun * Part Sun
Soil Moisture Preference:
Medium-Wet * Medium * Medium-Dry
Plant Height:
5 to 7 feet
Plant Width:
2 to 4 feet
Plant Spacing:
2 feet
Flower Color:
Lavender/Pink
Flower timing:
July to September
Culture Information:
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed makes an excellent plant for butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, meadows, native plant gardens, naturalized areas or along water margins. It is a substantial plant and needs space but works well planted in groups.
When first planted, Sweet Joe-Pye Weed should be watered weekly for first few months, unless at least an inch of rain has been received in the last week to help it get established. Sweet Joe-Pye Weed appreciates watering during extended dry periods and drought.
If desired, Sweet Joe-Pye Weed can be cut back to the ground in late fall or over winter.
Tolerates:
Deer
Pests & Disease:
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed typically has no serious insect problems.
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed doesn’t usually have serious disease problems. Powdery Mildew and Rust sometimes occur.
Sweet Joe-Pye Weed sometimes suffers from scorch (browning leaf edges) if the soils are allowed to dry out.
Wildlife Use:
Pollinators: Sweet Joe-Pye Weed’s flowers are especially attractive to butterflies and bees.
Birds: Seed heads persist well into winter when they provide food for songbirds.
Mammals: Deer tend not to bother Sweet Joe-Pye Weed.
Other: N/A.
Native to:
East Tennessee including Knox and surrounding counties
More Information:
NC State Plant Database:
Missouri Botanical Garden:
TN-KY Plant Atlas
Other Link: