Eupatorium purpureum 

'Sweetscented Joe-pye Weed'

Asteraceae/Compositae: a clump forming herb that grows to 1.5–2.4m. Found in swampy and rich low ground and in woods, especially on calcareous soils. The flowers are purplish are produced in large loose, convex shaped compound corymbiform arrays. The leaves grow to 30 cm long and have a somewhat wrinkled texture. Native to Eastern North America - New Hampshire to Minnesota, south to Florida and Oklahoma.

USES:

The roots have been burnt and their ashes used as salt to flavour foods.

Joe-pye Weed was used by the native north American Indians as a diaphoretic to induce perspiration and break a fever. The plant was quickly adopted by the white settlers and still finds a use in modern herbalism. The whole plant, but especially the root, has astringent, diuretic, nervine and tonic properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

These seeds germinate rapidly depending on species and origin. If germination does not occur after 3–4 weeks a cooling period of 2–4 weeks is recommended.

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil that is well-drained but moisture retentive in sun or part shade. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°C. The bruised leaves have a vanilla-like odour.

Attracts butterflies* and bees.

HARVESTED: 2023*

APPROX. 100+ SEEDS