Eupatorium purpureum
Joe Pye Weed
Asteraceae (Compositae)
Perennials, Flowers
EUPATORIUMThese are generally large plants with big domes of small flower heads that are rich in nectar and pollen. Blossoms attract butterflies. Most of the species (including two of the four described here) are wild plants of eastern U.S. meadows, little noted until recently but now popular in perennial borders and naturalistic meadow plantings.
Eupatorium purpureumFrom eastern U.S. Grows to 3–9 ft. tall, 1–3 ft. wide, with clump of hollow stems set with tiered whorls of strongly toothed leaves to a foot long. Leaves have a vanilla scent when bruised. Big domes of pale purple flowers in late summer or fall.
Most common in gardens is 5-ft.-tall –Gateway–, with reddish purple stems topped by mauve to dusky purple flowers. All put on best show with rich soil, ample water.
Rhus glabra
Native to much of North America. Upright grower to 10 ft., sometimes treelike to 20 ft. Spreads widely...
Eupatorium purpureum
From eastern U.S. Grows to 3–9 ft. tall, 1–3 ft. wide, with clump of hollow stems set with...
Pinus edulis
Native from California’s desert mountains east to New Mexico and Texas, north to Wyoming. Grows ...
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