Audubon® Joe Pye Weed

In the dog days of summer, when the garden is frankly looking a little tired (and we are, too), Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed is fresh as a daisy. Mid- to late summer is when this chipper Spirit opens its cloudlike, mauve-pink flowers. Butterflies are quick to find their nectar, and they linger on the blooms on warm, lazy afternoons. Tiger swallowtails and monarchs are the most conspicuous and frequent visitors, but you may also spot black swallowtails, viceroys, painted ladies, red admirals, fritillaries, and skippers. In fall, the flowers become fluffy clusters of fawn-colored seeds, enjoyed by sparrows and finches.

Who was this Joe Pye person? The world may never know for certain who he was or if he even existed in real life, but historians have tried hard to uncover the truth. Their research seems to indicate that Joe Pye was indeed a real person, perhaps a Mohican medicine man who lived in New England in the eighteenth century. He supposedly had a reputation for using this plant to treat typhus fever, a disease transmitted by lice or fleas that was once more common in the U.S. Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed is native from Maine to South Carolina.

There are several species of Joe Pye Weeds. The most common ones are tall, shrublike Spirits that tower over other plants in the garden. Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed is different. Naturally maintaining a smaller, more compact habit, it fits easily into gardens of all sizes.

We do the hard part. Our trees and plants are grown and cared for by only the best, local growers for years before they find their forever home in your landscape. Bower & Branch is known for having hard-to-find, substantial sizes and selection. The quality of our trees and plants are consistent in health and vigor—always ready for immediate impact in your garden and instant curb appeal. We believe in empowering homeowners with the truth about strong, healthy and structurally sound plants that are grown to perform in the ground after they leave the nursery for home delivery, always fresh inventory from the grower

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.