Joe-Pye-Weed Eutrochium fistulosum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Joe-Pye-Weed:
Previously known as:
- Eupatorium fistulosum
- Description
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Eutrochium fistulosum, or Hollow Joe Pye weed, is a native perennial typically found in low moist ground, wet meadows, wet thickets, and stream margins. It is an erect and clump-forming plant that usually grows to 4 to 7 feet tall. It is easily grown in average, medium to wet fertile soils in full sun to part shade. If grown in shady locations, the plants may need support when they reach full height. You should cut the plants back to the ground in winter after all blooms are gone; the plant will rebound in the spring.
Hollow Joe Pye weed is similar in appearance to both spotted Joe Pye weed (E. maculatum) and sweet Joe Pye weed (E. purpureum), but is distinguished from them by its larger leaf whorls and hollow stems which usually lack spots. Joe Pye weed can be more than a weed when its attractive pink flowers and dramatic 8 foot height are applied to yard borders, native plant gardens, and wild or naturalized areas.
This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer and the flowers are attractive to pollinators, including small butterflies. Songbirds eat the seeds. Leaves may scorch if soils are allowed to dry out.
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:



- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eutrochium
- Species:
- fistulosum
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to butterflies, especially smaller species, and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Flowers give way to attractive seed heads which persist well into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny, vanilla-scented, dull pinkish-purple flowers in large, terminal, domed, compound inflorescenses (12-18" diameter) that bloom in mid-summer to early fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Coarse, serrated, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 12" long) in whorls of 4-7 (frequently 6).
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Sturdy, green, hollow stems.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Fire