Eutrochium purpureum, Sweet Joe Pye Weed

Buds about to open in our part shaded garden

Sweet Joe Pye is the less common of the two Pye Weeds native to Minnesota. With habitat mainly in several northeastern and southeastern counties, Sweet JP is not only shorter in stature than the more common Spotted JP, it is also much more tolerant of shade. Highly attractive to insects and humans, its sweet scent will lure you to its mauve-rose colored flowers in mid to late summer. Early summer leaves can be subject to skeletonizing or pinholes from various insects (plume moths at our place), but in my experience the plants fully recover, leafing out again, and always produce flowers. Excellent for woodland or septic drain field edges, wetlands, rain gardens and semi-shaded gardens.with moist soil.

Bloom: rose-pink, July through August

Height: 4 to 6 feet, sturdy and upright, will grow taller in wet soils

Conditions: part sun to part shade, moist to medium soils