Hands in the Dirt: Joe-Pye-Weed

Photo and article by Donna Iverson
 
Fall flowering weeds that are native to North America are getting reconsideration as garden plants. Take Joe-Pye-Weed, for example.  For decades considered a roadside weed, it is finding its way into more and more gardens, especially gardens with an emphasis on native plants and attracting pollinators. It is a favorite of butterflies.
 
Fast growing, Joe-Pye-Weed has sweet vanilla-scented white, pink, or lavender flowers and grows in any type of soil. A perennial, it is hardy and will survive Michigan winters. Like most native plants, it doesn’t need fertilizing or constant watering.  It does prefer lots of sunshine and blooms from July through October. It reaches heights of five to seven feet.
 
Joe-Pye-Weed is best planted in spring.  While it is possible to grow from seed, purchasing plants will prove more successful. Your local conservation district http://www.newaygocd.org will likely have plants for sale in April.
 
The plant is named for Joe Pye, a Native American who lived in Massachusetts from 1740 to 1785. His native name was Schauquetqueat.  He was a medicine man, and used the plant to treat fever and urinary infections.  There is, however, no scientific studies that substantiate this use.  In fact, it would be dangerous to use this plant medicinally at home unless you are a trained herbalist. 
 
All in all, there are thirty species of Joe-Pye-Weed.  It grows as far east as New England and as far west as British Columbia. 

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