Perennial of the Month-- August 2009

(uu-pa-TORE-ee-um  DUBE-ee-um)  (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)

Common name: 'Little Joe' Joe Pye weed

Family: Asteraceae, Aster

Height x width: 3-4ft x one ft

Growth rate, habit: moderate, upright

Foliage: green in whorls up stems similar to other Joe Pye species

Flowers: dome-shaped light pink to lavender flowers in mid (south) to late (north) summer

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-8

Soil: tolerates most including moist, best in average to dry

Light: sun, tolerates part shade

Pests and problems: none significant, leaves may scorch if too dry and hot

Landscape habit, uses: fronts of borders, massed, native gardens, butterflies, containers; combine with New England asters, goldenrod cultivars, black-eyed susan, sedum

Other interest: selected by Steve Lighty at Conard Pyle Co. (PA), species is native to moist soils on coastal plains from Maine to the Carolinas; similar to 'Gateway' only smaller plant; deer resistant; especially attractive to swallowtail and monarch butterflies; old stems provide fall interest and winter cover for beneficial insects

Other culture: cut back in spring, leave stems and seeds for birds and winter interest

Propagation: spring division, stem cuttings early summer

Sources:  many specialty perennial nurseries and online