Joe Pie

Joe Pie

Joe Pye weed is a fairly low-maintenance plant, and it’s quite rewarding to grow due to its notable size and fragrant blooms. It does need plenty of space to accommodate its height and spread. These plants grow naturally in sites that have somewhat moist soil, such as near streams or in drainage ditches. So keeping them well watered will generally be the most extensive part of their care. And you might have to apply fertilizer if your soil is very poor. If your Joe Pye weed becomes quite tall, it might need staking to keep it upright, especially when it’s heavy with blooms.Too much feeding or not enough sunlight can cause these plants to get leggy and topple over from the wind. Keep feeding at a minimum and make sure the plants receive adequate light, which will keep them from reaching for the sun. Cutting back the stalks by half in early summer can keep the height under control and prompt the plant to become bushy rather than excessively tall. Staking is another option.F.

Plant

Joe Pye weeds have thick stems with lance-shaped, serrated dark green leaves that can be up to a foot long. And in the midsummer, tiny mauve or pink-purple flowers bloom in large clusters atop the stems. Although it's often considered just a roadside week, Joe Pye weed has a sweet vanilla scent that is especially attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, and it has become an increasingly popular plant for native gardens. Joe Pye weed is best planted from potted nursery plants in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. It has a fast growth rate, usually flowering in its first season.Maintaining consistent soil moisture is key for growing a robust Joe Pye weed. During your plant’s first growing season, keep the soil evenly moist at all times but not soggy. Even after the plant is mature, try not to let the soil remain dry for more than a few days at a time, especially during hot weather.

A layer of mulch around your plant will help to retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool.Joe Pye weed is not easy to grow from seeds, because the seeds require a period of cold stratification in order to germinate. Purchased seeds or those saved from a spent flower head can be stored in the refrigerator for at least a month before planting. If starting indoors, start the seeds about eight weeks before the expected last frost. Or, they can be planted outdoors in spring.Fill starter cells or 2-inch pots with moistened seed starter mix. Press the seeds into the soil and just barely cover them with additional mix. Place the container in a location with bright indirect light at 70 degrees Fahrenheit until they sprout, usually about 4 weeks. Continue to grow the seedlings in a bright location until outdoor planting time. (Source: www.thespruce.com)