Eupatorium purpureum, also known as Joe Pye, produces large heads of fluffy pink or mauve flowers born at the end of the stems in domed clusters. The flowers begin to appear in late summer and continue flowering into March. Eupatorium purpureum is an evergreen, tall, clump-forming perennial with large leaves that are palmately divided into narrow leaflets.
Landscape uses
As it’s quite a tall plant, Eupatorium purpureum is excellent when planted at the back of a garden border or amongst other taller border plants like Verbena bonariensis, Rudbeckia laciniata and ornamental grasses. Insects, bees and butterflies absolutely love this plant, making it the perfect addition to your perennial or cottage garden. We planted Joe Pye amongst a perennial garden bed at our Camberwell Meadow project.
How to plant
Plant in full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil. Fertile, moist soils are preferred, but they will tolerate clay or wet soils. It won’t thrive in dry areas. When planting, space pots approx. 90cm – 1.2m apart, depending on the plant size. You can expect Eupatorium purpureum to grow to approx. 1.5m high and wide.
Care and maintenance
Keep Eupatorium purpureum well watered and mulched, as this will ensure it doesn’t dry out too much over the summer. Prune lightly at the end of the flowering season and give it a light feed of balanced, slow-release fertiliser during the active periods of spring and summer. You can propagate by division in spring. They are frost-tolerant once established.
