Eutrochium fistulosum

Common Names

Hollow Joe Pye Weed, Joe-Pye Weed, Trumpetweed, Hollow-Stemmed Joe-Pye Weed, Purple Thoroughwort, Queen of the Meadow

Summary

Hollow Joe-Pye weed is a native eastern North American perennial that grows tall and erect to 7–10 ft, with hollow stems often purple and leaves in whorls of 4–7 that are lance-shaped; its pink to purple flower heads form large clusters up to 14 inches across from July through September, and blooms are nectar-rich, highly attractive to pollinators, with the plant capable of forming rhizomes to create small colonies.

It thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist to wet soils, tolerating rich to average soils including clay and sand, with a typical spread of 2–4 ft and spacing of 2–3 ft on center; hardiness zones 5–9; uses include background for ponds, streams, and other wet areas, and landscape value in wet meadows and native/wildlife plantings; maintenance includes cutting back to the ground in late autumn, and the plant is generally pest- and disease-free with deer tolerance noted.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-8 ft

Spread

2-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, fertile loam soil; well-draining and moisture-retentive; pH 6.0–8.0.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-8.0, Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Pink to purple

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast, expands annually via rhizomatous spread and self-seeding, 2–5 years

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds