Care of the plant Eupatorium purpureum or Purple Joe-Pye weed |
The genus Eupatorium, family Asteraceae, includes 250 species of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Some species are: Eupatorium purpureum, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Eupatorium album, Eupatorium japonicum, Eupatorium fortunei, Eupatorium cannabinum. Common names: Purple Joe-Pye weed, Kidney-root, Trumpet weed, Gravel root. This species is native to eastern and central North America. They are perennial plants with unbranched purple stems that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. They have lanceolate leaves up to 25 cm (9.84") in length. The showy purple flowers appear in corymbs that slightly bend the stems. They bloom during the second half of summer. Purple Joe-Pye weed is used to form clumps, flower beds and as a bottom for low-rise herbaceous plant beds. Eupatorium purpureum needs full sun exposure; it resists occasional frosts down to -1 ºC (30.2 ºF). The soil should contain abundant organic matter such as leaf mulch or well-decomposed manure. Water abundantly in summer and reduce watering the rest of the year. Keep in mind that this plant comes from swampy areas. Fertilize with manure or compost in the fall or early spring. Kidney-root does not need pruning. Eupatorium purpureum can be attacked by mealybugs, aphids and mites if it suffers from drought. Trumpet weed propagates by seeds sown in spring or autumn and by division. |
Images of the plant Eupatorium purpureum or Purple Joe-Pye weed |