Eupatorium Maculatum 'Gateway' - Joe Pye Weed

For this gardening season, there has been more activity around my Eupatorium 'Gateway' (Joe Pye Weed) than anything else out in the gardens.

We're talking bees, butterflies and birds galore. I'll get to photos of these creatures in a moment, but first some facts about this fan favorite:

• The ultimate size is about 6' x 3'. 
• Survives in zones 4-8.
• Prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Blooms are a pink/mauve color from late Summer to early Fall.
• As mentioned previously, the blooms attract bees, butterflies and birds.
• Prefers medium to wet soil conditions but should never be left to dry out.
• They can be left up for Winter and from personal experience, have managed to stay upright even during decent snowstorms.
• These ladies are native to the Northeast in wetlands and moist meadows.
• Beyond the blooms and attraction to wildlife, they lend an almost architectural vibe to a mixed border with their strong stems and height.
• I have had deer chomp these only once and it actually created a layered effect that was pretty cool as a result.
• You can prune these in early Summer to control the height and not affect the blooms too dramatically.
• Joe Pye Weed is named after a Native American named "Jopi", who was from a New England tribe and traveled widely during the American Revolution selling this plant as an herbal remedy for typhoid fever.     

Now it is photo time:

These plants are slow to emerge in the Spring as the two photos below were taken in early May:

They do grow quickly, however, as this is a photo of the same plants only two weeks later: 

As the blooms develop, they form this super cool whirly deal:

By the end of July, at least here in zone 6, the blooms are developing quickly: 

By early August, they have reached full maturity:

And do they ever draw in the butterflies:

And the birds:

Even now in early September, as the blooms start to fade and the foliage begins it's inevitable decline (I probably could have kept up with the watering a bit better to slow the fade), it still looks damn good:

Dare I say, these may be a top 3 perennial for me based on their size, impact, wildlife drawing abilities and ease of care.

I have also dabbled with the 'Chocolate' cultivar over the past two years but the jury is still out on these. No blooms to date but dig the foliage big time:       

So in conclusion, go native, leave it be and enjoy all that it brings to your garden.
ONG 

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