Sweetscented Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Wikimedia: Mason Brock ( Masebrock (en.wikipedia.org) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Eutrochium
- Species:
- Eutrochium purpureum
- USDA Symbol:
- EUPU21
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 210 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
bold-feathered grass moth (Herpetogramma pertextalis), common eupithecia (Eupithecia miserulata), Eupatorium Plume Moth (Oidaematophorus eupatorii), Hellinsia homodactylus, Joe-Pye weed borer moth (Papaipema eupatorii), larch needleworm moth (Endopiza slingerlandana), Oidaematophorus cretidactylus, red groundling moth (Perigea xanthioides), Schinia bifascia, T-moth (Emmelina monodactyla), Three-lined Flower Moth (Schinia trifascia)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Bombus Latreille, Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Lemon cuckoo (Bombus citrinus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Tri-colored bumble (Bombus ternarius), Zadontomerus Ashmead Moths:Atteva aurea Butterflies:Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire; historically found in fire-maintained meadows and woodland edges.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers habitats like woodlands and meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.