Eutrochium dubium (Eupatorium dubium) ( coastal Joe-pye weed)

Coastal plain Joe Pye weed can be a robust accent in wildlife gardens with its bright green leaves whorled around sturdy purple stems topped by numerous flower heads in flat-topped arrays. It can be used for cut flowers, erosion control in moist meadows, or as part of a mass planting. Grows up to 5.5' tall, often shorter. Give it full sun to part shade. It will grow in a variety of soil types, provided the soil does not dry out. Tolerates deer and drought, and naturalizes readily. This hardy species is well suited for cottage gardens, rain gardens, perennial borders, and wetlands.

This flowering plant in the sunflower family is native to the eastern United States and Canada, and is found primarily in the Atlantic coastal plain from Georgia to Nova Scotia. This hardy species is indigenous to marshes, shores, swamps, bogs, wet meadows, damp thickets, and open woodlands. Its flowers attract butterflies, skippers, and songbirds.

Photo by Kathy Thornton