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Eutrochium maculatum

Previously known as:

  • Eupatoriadelphus maculatus
  • Eupatorium maculatum
  • Eupatorium purpureum
  • Eupatorium purpureum L. var. maculatum
Phonetic Spelling
yoo-TRO-kee-um mak-yuh-LAY-tum
Description

Eutrochium maculatum is an herbaceous native perennial wildflower, commonly known as Joe Pye Weed or Queen of the Meadow, that is useful as a tall plant in wet spaces. It displays clusters of purple blossoms through summer into fall. Joe Pye Weed prefers moist to wet soil and does best in sun to partial shade. This plant is resistant to damage by deer. It does best in average, medium to wet soils in full sun, but tolerates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. You can cut the plants to the ground in late winter. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. This plant often forms small clonal colonies. You can divide the plant in spring or fall and replant to a new site.

You can tell the difference between this plant and Eutrochium fistulosum by cutting a stem near the base of the plant.  Eutrochium maculatum has solid pith running through the stem and Eutrochium fistulosum is hollow toward the base of the plant, filling out as the pith reaches the top of the stem.

Habitat: Marl fens, wet calcareous meadows, cove forests, grassy balds

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. In the heat, leaves may become scorched if the soil is allowed to dry out.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Gateway'
Tags:
#purple#fragrant#showy flowers#rain garden#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#nectar plant#NC native#deer resistant#pollinator plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Gateway'
Tags:
#purple#fragrant#showy flowers#rain garden#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#nectar plant#NC native#deer resistant#pollinator plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eutrochium
    Species:
    maculatum
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies and honeybees
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Hairy achene. Displays from August to November. Achenes are dispersed by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flat-topped cluster of 8-20 purplish to dusky pink disk florets (no ray florets). Blooms from July to October
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    4 or 5 sharply toothed leaves in a whorl that grow to 8" long 2 1/2" wide. The upper leaf surfaces have conspicuous venation.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Pith (Split Longitudinally):
    Continuous homogeneous
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Deep purple or purple-spotted branched stem with solid pith in the center. The central stem is stout, terete, and often covered with short fine hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil