Monday, August 11, 2008

Joe-Pye Weed

Eupatorium purpureum also known as - Queen of the Meadow, gravel root, kidney root, mist-flower, snakeroot and purple boneset

This fragrant wild flower first appeared within our raspberries a couple years ago. It's an attractive flower that attracts an abundance of butterflies, bees and numerous other insects. It was named after a Native American herbalist, named Joe-Pye, cured fevers using the Eupatorium plant.

At first I didn't know what this plant was. Then I thought it was Asclepias Incarnata milkweed,‏ otherwise known as swamp milkweed, which looks very similar to Joe-Pye weed. However, one of the local newscasters does a piece on Sunday mornings called, "Dave's Garden Tips" and wouldn't you know it yesterday Joe-Pye was one of the three plants he talked about and had on display. After a little Google research I confirmed we're the happy owners of some Joe-Pye weed. I plan on transplant this dude come fall to get it out from the tangle of raspberries and into it's own space.

In the words of Mr. Paul Harvey, "and that's the rest of the story..."

Read more about, "Growing Joe-Pye Weed"

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