Eutrochium fistulosum - Hollow Joe-Pye Weed

Sizes available: TBD, coming in 2026

Basics: zones 4-9, 4-8' (or taller) x 3-4', full sun to light shade, large clusters of fragrant, mauve-y pink flowers in late summer, likes it moist to wet, temporary inundation is okay as is some drought, doesn't mind clay soils.

Common names: Hollow Joe-Pye Weed, Tall Joe Pye Weed, Queen-of-the-Meadow, Trumpetweed (the last two common names are also used for other plants)

Family: Asteraceae

Origin/Distribution: Occurs from southern Maine west through Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri, south to Florida and east to Texas. Also found in Quebec. Native to southern Maine.

Habitat: wet fields, prairies, thickets, ditches, low spots, shorelines, damp and open woodland, marshes, bogs, seeps

More: This Joe Pye can withstand a bit of shade and a bit of drought with some aplomb. I might try it on a woodland edge and see what happens. More information coming soon.

Even more: The hollow stems of numerous plants are a boon for over-wintering insects who shelter and/or lay their eggs in them. Instead of cutting old stems to the ground, consider leaving them at about knee height to serve this important purpose. Because of the life cycles of various insects, you want to leave them permanently intact. Don't cut them back in the spring, but have confidence that the flush of strong new growth from the plant will quickly over-take and conceal this lower framework, which then can continue to offer the opportunity for shelter and an insect nursery!

Source: grown on from seedlings provided by Marpa Farm

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons