The botanical name for Joe Pye Weed has been moved from Eupatorium to Eutrochium. Let’s keep the momentum going by also dropping the weed and calling it flower. Amy Macintosh, co-chair of the local NC Native Plants chapter, heard that tip at the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference earlier this month.
Three-Nerved Joe Pye Flower (Eutrochium dubium)
Short for a Joe Pye, this plant has dusky rose flowers. It’s thriving in the middle of Sun Curve, where it holds its own with other bold plants such as Formosa Lilies, Garden Phlox, and Crinums. It gets an average amount of moisture. The flowers turn tan as they go to seed, but have about the same shape, providing interest through the fall and winter. Bees and butterflies love it. (Reference)
Spotted Joe Pye Flower (Eutrochium maculatum ‘Gateway’)
It grows in a partly sunny spot in the rain garden, where it enjoys occasional flooding and usually moist soil. It’s taller than Three-Nerved Joe Pye, and the flowers are more open. (Reference)
Pollinators of Joe Pye Flower
