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A few years back, I started focusing my gardening efforts on native plants of New England and specifically Northeastern Connecticut where I live. One of the native plants I have added to both my native medicine garden and my native pollinator garden is Joe Pye Weed. I just love this plant!
As you have probably guessed, it is used both as a pollinator plant and has some medicinal properties that my Nipmuck ancestors likely used. The focus of this article today is to discuss what Joe Pye Weed is and to highlight the top 6 reasons that you’ll want to plant in your yard or garden.
Joe Pye Weed might have an uninspiring name, but it’s a hardy plant that can grow well in many North American gardens. Legend has it that this wildflower got its moniker from a traveling Native American medicine man who sold colonists herbal tonics for fighting typhoid fever.
Joe Pye Weed is the common name for plants in the genus Eutrochium. These perennials grow to be about seven feet tall and have distinctive clusters of pink flowers at the tops of long stems. It is a NATIVE plant in the United States and Canada, so it is perfect to plant in your yard!
I love that the bloom time for Joe Pye Weed is generally around August when many of my other garden perennials have finished blooming. I have mine planted at the edge of our woodland in partial shade and it seems very happy there, where it spreads a bit more each year. Some gardeners dislike that it spreads so much, but I love it. It also does well in moist areas.
When you shop for Joe Pye Weed at your local garden center, you’ll probably find a variety of options. Most of these cultivars were developed from wild species.
Joe Pye weed has a long history of medicinal use, including as a diuretic, for easing urinary tract issues, joint stiffness, and gout. It is also used to treat reproductive issues and diabetes.
The bottom line is that Joe Pye Weed is a beautiful, useful plant for the garden. It’s a plant that provides many visual benefits to any garden, is easy to grow, requires little maintenance, and will tolerate some neglect, so you won’t have to devote too much time to it. It attracts pollinators, helps prevent erosion of soil, and provides numerous other benefits—so if you want to put the extra effort into growing a native plant, give Joe Pye Weed a serious look.
Interested in other articles about gardening for wildlife or pollinators? Check these out:
Disclaimer- I am not a medical professional. All information shared here is for information and entertainment only. Do your own research and consult your health care provider before treating yourself with any product, plant or mixture.
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