Eutrochium dubium

Common Names

Coastal Plain Joe-Pye Weed, Joe Pye Weed, Three-Nerved Joe-Pye Weed, Joe-Pye Thoroughwort, Eastern Joe-Pye Weed

Summary

Eutrochium dubium is a perennial in the Asteraceae native to eastern North America, especially coastal plains and wetlands from Nova Scotia to South Carolina and Alabama. It typically grows 3–5 feet tall with purple-spotted stems and whorled leaves (3–4) that are ovate and coarsely toothed; large dome-shaped clusters of pink to purple disk florets (4–7 inches across) lack ray florets and bloom from midsummer into fall (July–October). Flowers attract bees and butterflies; the plant is relatively deer resistant and tolerates wet, acidic soils, with some salinity tolerance.

It spreads by rhizomes to form clonal colonies and is widely used in rain gardens, borders, native plant and cottage gardens, meadows, and other damp landscape settings in USDA zones 3–9. Cultivars include compact forms such as 'Little Joe' (3–4 ft tall, 1–3 ft wide) and 'Baby Joe' (2–3 ft tall, 1–2 ft wide) with lighter lavender to pinkish inflorescences, all sharing the species’ preference for moist, fertile soils and full sun to partial shade.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-4 feet

Spread

2-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, fertile, humus-rich soils

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Eutrochium dubium tolerates all soil pH levels (acidic, neutral, and alkaline).

Bloom Color

Pink to Purple

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall (July–October)

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Don't know

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are attracted; birds feed on seeds.