Eupatorium purpureum.
Sweet Joe Pye Weed is a perennial wildflower named after Native American healer Joe Pye who, according to legend, used the plant for curing fevers and other sickness.
Grows to around 5 to 7 feet in height. Large, stunning clusters of vanilla-scented, pink to purple flowers appear mid-summer to early fall and attract all manner of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. After blooming, the seed heads that persist into winter attract birds.
Typically blooms in the first year.
Sweet Joe Pye Weed
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8 Light Requirement: Full to partial shade Soil Type: Rich, well-drained Sow Depth: Surface Plant Spacing: 3 to 4 feet Germination Note: Cold stratification required Stratification Time: 30 days Bloom Time: July through September Growing Tips
Direct sow in late fall on the soil's surface, as the seeds need light to germinate. For spring planting, mix seeds with moist sand and store in refrigerator for 60 days (cold stratification) before direct sowing.
If starting indoors, scatter seeds on soil's surface in flats. Keep moist and provide consistent light until germination, which should occur within 2 to 3 months. Transplant to garden once seedlings are several inches tall.
A Note on Cold Stratification
These seeds require cold, moist stratification. To naturally stratify the seeds, plant outdoors late fall on a weed-free site and allow seeds to overwinter.
To artificially stratify the seeds, place the seeds and a moist medium (such as a damp paper towel, coffee filter, sand, or vermiculite) in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator (33-40°F) for the amount of time noted on the growth chart before sowing.