Eutrochium purpureum, Sweet Joe Pye Weed

 

 

Sweet Joe Pye is the less common of the two Pye Weeds native to Minnesota. Its habitat mainly in northeastern and southeastern counties, Sweet JP is not only shorter in stature than the more common Spotted JP, it is also prefers part 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 Moth at Shelterwood), 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

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

Buds about to open in our part shaded garden