Eutrochium fistulosum 'Jojo'

Sizes available: Landscape plug

Basics: zones 4-8, 3-4' x 2-3', full to part sun, bright pink, double flowers on maroon stems in late summer, consistently moist soil, can take it quite wet and is clay tolerant.

Family: Asteraceae

Origin/Distribution: This was a chance seedling of Eutrochium fistulosum discovered by Kind Earth Growers in 2017, and which they have developed and introduced as 'Jojo'. It is shorter and more compact than the species. The species, Eutrochium fistulosum (Hollow Joe Pye Weed) is native to southern Maine, and can grow over 6.5 feet tall in the right conditions. 

Habitat: wetland margins, low and damp places in open woods, damp meadows and fields

More: I brought this cultivar in as a potential cut flower. This one is for the joy of the gardener. Later in the season I will offer the species Eutrochium dubium from seed collected in New England. That one will be both for the joy of the gardener AND the joy of the pollinators! Meanwhile, 'Jojo' has a double flower, which means it does not set seed and has a long bloom time. If you want to grow these for cut flowers, cut part of the stand back by 1/3 to 1/2 in mid-July to delay bloom on some stems and this increases the over-all bloom time. This is actually a great method to employ on most of our late bloomers. It staggers the height of robust growers and decreases that oppressive-block-of-foliage feeling that some of them exhibit when planted en masse.

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 nursery!

Nursery: Landscape plugs from North Creek

Image credit: North Creek Nursery