Plant Description
Purple Joe-Pye Weed: A Native Perennial for New Jersey Gardens
Purple Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum), also known as Sweet Joe-Pye Weed, is a perennial herb native to New Jersey and much of eastern North America. It grows between 1 to 6 feet tall, with erect stems and whorls of narrow, lance-shaped leaves. In mid to late summer, the plant produces large, domed clusters of tiny, pale pinkish-lavender florets that emit a sweet vanilla scent, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies (Gardenia).
Thriving in moist, well-drained soils with full sun to partial shade, Purple Joe-Pye Weed is perfect for rain gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas. Its height and showy blooms add vertical interest to landscapes, and its deer resistance makes it especially appealing to gardeners dealing with browsing wildlife (Jersey-Friendly Yards). Historically, Native American tribes used the plant medicinally; for example, the Cherokee used its root ash as a salt substitute, and the Ojibwa brewed a root tea to strengthen infants (Go Botany).
