| I'm very fond of "Joe-Pye Weed". I wonder if it needs constant sun? Does it bloom late enough in the season to be grown over early blooming bulbs (tulips or hyacinths)? |
| Joe-Pye Weed, Eupatorium purpureum, is a great plant native to the U.S. It can tolerate full sun, but holds its purple color best in part sun or filtered shade. It easily grows to 6' and blooms late summer to fall. Joe Pye needs abundant water and does best in a moist environment. Such an environment is not good for bulbs which would rot in the constantly moist soil. However several other spring blooming perennials which need moisture and prefer or tolerate part shade are Dicentra (bleeding heart), Primula (primrose), Brunnera (hardy forget-me-not) and Caltha (marsh marigold). Astilbes also like moisture, prefer afternoon shade, and flower with a variety of colors, heights and bloom times throughout the summer. With careful planning, you can have color through most of the season! |
