(Eupatorium purpureum)
Gorgeous pinkish to purplish flowers in a large domed inflorescence draw butterflies by the dozens to your garden in July and August into September if you cut off the spent blooms. Can get from four to seven feet, so put it in the back of the border. A smaller version, ‘Gateway,’ runs around 3 ½’ to 4’ tall. Long, coarse, dark green leaves grow in a whorl around the stems. Likes even moisture and full sun. Various related species native all over the eastern half of the U.S., co-evolved with numerous butterfly species.
Joe Pye Weed
