An inventory of our photos has revealed that this species is a celebrity in our yard, attracting legions of six-legged fans and two-legged paparazzi. Because of its star quality for wildlife, I’ve mentioned it so often it deserves its own name in lights. With spring officially three weeks away, these are great plants to put on your shopping list. Here’s why.

Why do I love Joe Pye weed?

How could I not? One year dozens of butterflies at once fluttered about a single plant. (I tried getting an official count but lost track at 37.) I didn’t originally buy Joe Pye for its animal magnetism, though. All I knew was my friend Sally adored it, and that was enough. Sally had moved away, so any reminder of her warmth was a welcome sight in my garden.

Why do wildlife love Joe Pye weed?

Animals love the plant for the same reason I love Sally, a woman so kind and full of life she borders on the magical. A generous and dynamic host, Mr. Pye welcomes insect diners at all life stages. He draws adults to his flowers while feeding 41 species of caterpillars who eat his leaves. In the fall his seeds nourish hungry birds. His strong stems bend in the wind, but they don’t break. He is a lifesaver, just like Sally, who has rescued and comforted countless numbers of pets, wild animals, and humans during her long career in animal welfare.

What nonnative plant can Joe Pye replace?

I’m glad you asked! If you have butterfly bush, remove it and plant this instead. Buddleia may appear to be helping butterflies, but it’s all a mirage. Unlike Joe Pye and many other natives, butterfly bush doesn’t support any caterpillars and invades habitats that do. Having had experience with both plants in my garden at the same time, I can also say that, given the choice, the butterflies much prefer Joe Pye. It’s not even a contest.

Where should you plant Joe Pye weed?

I have several species of Joe Pye in somewhat randomly chosen spots, and all have thrived. Though the plant is generally listed as sun-loving, Maryland heat can be so relentless that in my yard the most prolific Joe Pye thrives in a spot with a little afternoon shade. Joe Pyes also supposedly need moisture, but in my experience they can hold their own in a range of water levels once established—and it takes little time for them to put down roots. In late summer, the plant’s flowers are so large and in charge they can weigh down the stems a bit. You can keep them more upright through mass groupings or surroundings of native grasses that  act as natural supports.

Where can I get Joe Pye weed?

I’ve picked up many a Joe Pye at native plant sales, botanic gardens, and established retailers. One year I bought them at a native plant arboretum, another year at a native plant nursery, and a third year at a traditional nursery that has a small line of locally grown native plants. I’ve even found Joe Pye at a big box store, where once a few hand-labeled pots—possibly a local farmer’s overstock—showed up and sat untouched for a week until I rescued the whole shelf’s worth. You can also find online sources, but no matter where you live, it’s helpful to make sure the plants are native to your locale and can support local ecology. A new book by Doug Tallamy and Rick Darke, The Living Landscape, offers recommended species lists by region.

What should I look for in Maryland?

A number of species take the common name Joe Pye weed. Recommendations for the mid-Atlantic from Tallamy and Darke include Eutrochium maculatum, Eutrochium fistulosum, and Eutrochium dubium; I’ve also seen Eutrochium purpureum on regional lists. You may find the genus listed as Eupatorium instead of Eutrochium; taxonomists have attempted to revise the classification in recent years to separate the whorl-leaved Joe Pyes from their opposite-leaved relatives, the bonesets. (Two boneset species in my yard, Eupatorium serotinum and Eupatorium perfoliatum, are also pollinator magnets.)

What is your experience with Joe Pye? I hope it is like the one in this video.