Eutrochium dubium (formerly Eupatorium dubium) (Coastal plain Joe-Pye weed)

Description

3′-5′ tall native perennial is shorter and more heat tolerant than the Common Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum). From July to October, it is covered with pinkish flowers  attracting butterflies, skippers, moths, native bees (bumble bees, long-horned bees, and leaf-cutting bees), honey bees and beneficial insects  such as bee flies.. It is a larval host of several moths including the beautiful Ruby Tiger Moth. Several beetles and aphids feed on the leaves (but rarely do any damages). The numerous insects make this species a great hunting area for mother birds. Birds also love seeds. This plant was used medicinally in the past.

 It thrives in sun to part shade in average to wet, acidic soil.   The Lady Bird Johnson Center reports it as native to CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NJ, NY, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA and WV. We propagated our plants from one of the few native populations of this species in Beaufort Co., SC. Since, we found it very close to the very GA border, it is probably native there as well.