Eutrochium, Joe Pye Weed, Spotted Joepyeweed 'Gateway'

All the big species of this genus have lovely, large domed heads of dusty rose flowers which are very attractive to butterflies and other...Read More pollinators. This cultivar has especially large flower heads to 18" across.

Unfortunately, the seed-heads tend to look messy rather than ornamental, and begin to detract from the flowering display within a week of the start of flowering. This is especially obvious with the white-flowered cultivars. Here the species generally blooms for about 6 weeks beginning in late July. Plants cut back in August before they've entirely gone to seed may rebloom three to six weeks later.

This species (E. fistulosum) is hardy to Z3. Under excellent conditions it can reach a height of 12'. 'Gateway' has been promoted as a shorter, semi-dwarf cultivar, but it is still likely to reach more than 6'.

The tall species form spreading clumps without rhizomes. They can be moderately aggressive (not invasive) and need to be divided every few years when they encroach on shorter border plants.

Relatively late to emerge from dormancy in the spring.

In the Chicago Botanic Garden's 2014 performance evaluation of Eupatoriums/Eutrochiums, 'Gateway' received only 3 stars out of 5. This was largely due to its susceptibility to powdery mildew, which commonly disfigures the big species of this genus. [rg/downloads/planteval_notes/no37_joepyeweed.pdf" target="_dgnew"rel="nofollow">HYPERLINK@www.chicagobotanic.org]

Though they can tolerate brief dryness once established, the big species of this genus are all moist-soil plants. Drought stress can dwarf them, crisp their leaves, and make them more susceptible to powdery mildew.

The species names in this genus are commonly confused in commerce. 'Gateway' may be more correctly considered a cutivar of E. fistulosum.

Great perennial. Easy to grow. Creates a great screen and a nice wall of color in late summer.

hamptonsgarden.com

I planted this along the alley as a living screen/fence. Great plant - looks great all season, requires very little attention. When it ...Read Moreblooms it is simply stunning. This is a plant that does require a LOT of room, but it is absolutely worth it. While in bloom it is generally covered in bees and butterflies.

I have 2 areas of Joe Pye Weed, one species and the other 'Gateway' cultivar. I treat the areas like a shrub: high prairie winds here te...Read Morend to knock down tall plants here and growing the plant in a bunch helps it stand up. If it spreads too much for you, just yank out some of the stems. If it shows up in other garden areas, pull it out. Propagate by seed.
Almost all native plants benefit from knowing their origin: JoePye Weed grows only in riparian areas in the prairie, which means it needs some additional water here in Nebraska especially during hot drought. Baby it too much and of course it becomes invasive. Tough Love is best.