Joe Pye weed
Eutrochium maculatum 'Gateway'
Overview
Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum 'Gateway') is a truly remarkable plant. It has lush green leaves, beautiful pink to purple flowers, and can grow between 3-8 feet tall. This plant is attractive to many pollinators including butterflies and bees, making it beneficial to many gardens. The flower heads of joe pye weed only stay open for a few brief days before wilting, giving off an intense fragrance. It thrives in sunny and moist areas and can easily be grown and transported. Overall, Joe Pye weed is an amazing plant due to its beauty, size, and its positive benefits to the environment.
Care Guide
Watering
Joe Pye Weed can tolerate periods of dryness, but it grows best when the soil is kept moderately moist. Water the plant when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. During dry periods, water the plant at least once a week, making sure that the entire root zone is being saturated. Avoid overwatering as wet soil can cause root rot.
Light
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum 'Gateway') requires full sun in order to thrive, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily. This is especially important during the peak blooming months of August and September when the plant is producing its bright purple flowers and requires the most light. For optimal growth, it’s best to choose a spot in your garden that gets full sun during the morning hours to not only give it the sun it needs but also to allow the flower spikes to fully open. Joe Pye Weed should receive the most sun during the morning hours so that it can drink up the warmth and energy from the sun and start the day off right.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 4–8.
Pruning
Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum 'Gateway') should be pruned in early spring, before or shortly after new growth emerges. Pruning Joe Pye weed involves cutting back the old, brown stems all the way down to the base. This will help to encourage new, vigorous growth once the temperatures warm up. It's best to prune only a few of the oldest stems each year, so that the plant does not become too thin and lanky. If multiple prunings occur in a single season, be sure to leave at least 6 inches of new growth untouched on each stem before pruning.
Propagation
Division, Root Cutting, Seed Propagation, Layering Propagation
Uses & Symbolism
Attracts: Butterflies.
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