White Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium purpureum 'Album'
ABOUT
Eupatorium purpureum 'Album', commonly known as white Joe-Pye weed, is a striking perennial that boasts a robust and upright growth habit. Its most distinctive feature is its large, fluffy clusters of tiny, creamy white flowers that bloom atop sturdy, wine-red stems. These flower heads are a magnet for butterflies and other pollinators, providing a captivating display in the garden. The foliage of white Joe-Pye weed consists of whorled leaves, which are lance-shaped and dark green in color, creating a lush backdrop for the flower heads. The texture of the leaves is somewhat coarse, contributing to the plant's vigorous presence in the landscape. As a cultivar of Eupatorium purpureum, 'Album' shares the same characteristic of having leaves that are arranged in whorls along the stems, usually in sets of three to six leaves. The combination of its creamy blooms, reddish stems, and deep green leaves makes for a striking contrast that can enhance any garden setting. The appearance of the plant shifts through the seasons, with the high-impact blooms appearing in summer and lasting into the fall, providing visual interest for an extended period.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
White Joe-Pye Weed, White Snakeroot, White Trumpet Weed, Purple Boneset.
Common names
Eutrochium purpureum 'Album', Eupatoriadelphus purpureus 'Album'.
ToxicityTo humans
White Joe-Pye weed has been reported to have toxic properties if ingested in significant quantities. Although traditional use of the plant exists, it contains toxic alkaloids that can affect the liver and kidneys. It can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, and lethargy. Chronic use or consumption of large amounts may lead to severe organ damage.
To pets
White Joe-Pye weed is also toxic to pets if ingested in large amounts. Similar to humans, ingestion can lead to symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and general weakness. If a pet consumes a large quantity of the plant, it could potentially lead to liver or kidney damage. It is advisable to prevent pets from having access to the plant to avoid possible poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
4-7 feet (1.2-2.1 meters)
Spread
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Wildlife: The plant is known to attract butterflies and other pollinators, thus supporting biodiversity in the garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its tall stems and fluffy white flower clusters, it adds an element of height and texture to garden landscapes.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it has a good tolerance for drought conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
- Easy to Grow: Eupatorium purpureum 'Album' is considered easy to grow and requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for novice gardeners.
- Resistant to Pests: It is generally resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical pest control measures.
- Naturalizing: This plant has the ability to spread and naturalize in an area, filling out a space and creating a full, lush garden bed.
- Seasonal Interest: It provides visual interest from mid-summer to fall, when many other plants have finished blooming.
- Companion Planting: It can be used effectively in companion planting to support and enhance the growth of other plants in the garden.
- Erosion Control: The root system helps to stabilize soil and control erosion, especially on slopes or in areas with loose soil.
- Wildlife Shelter: It offers shelter for wildlife, creating a habitat for beneficial insects and small animals.
Medical Properties- Diuretic: Eupatorium purpureum 'Album', commonly known as White Snakeroot, has traditionally been used to help promote urine production.
- Antilithic: This plant has been thought to help prevent kidney stones.
- Stimulant: It has been used to stimulate the body or an organ to normal action.
- Anti-rheumatic: White Snakeroot has been used historically to help relieve rheumatism symptoms.
- Treat fevers: The plant has had a history of being used to reduce fever.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Eupatorium purpureum 'Album', commonly known as White Joe-Pye Weed, can be used as a natural fabric dye, providing subtle green and brown hues to textiles.
- In wildlife gardens, White Joe-Pye Weed serves as an attractive landing spot and nectar source for butterflies and bees, enhancing pollinator biodiversity.
- This plant's tall and sturdy stems can be used in rustic floral arrangements, giving a wild and natural look to the bouquets.
- The leaves of White Joe-Pye Weed, when crushed, can be used as a mosquito repellent due to their slightly pungent scent.
- Landscape designers can utilize this plant in erosion control projects because of its robust root system which helps stabilize soil.
- As a companion plant in the vegetable garden, it can help attract beneficial insects that will prey on common pests.
- White Joe-Pye Weed can be utilized in sensory gardens, where its textured leaves and large flower heads provide a tactile experience.
- In large-scale land restoration, it's often included as part of wildflower seed mixes to help re-establish native plant populations.
- Educational gardens can incorporate White Joe-Pye Weed to teach students about native plants and their role in supporting local ecosystems.
- Gardeners practicing permaculture principles may use White Joe-Pye Weed for its role in building plant guilds, which are groups of plants that symbiotically support each other's growth.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe White Snakeroot is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe White Snakeroot is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Eupatorium purpureum, commonly known as White Joe-Pye Weed, is considered a symbol of healing due to its historical use in herbal medicine to treat various ailments.
- Respect: The plant is named after Joe Pye, a Native American healer, symbolizing respect for indigenous knowledge and traditional healing practices.
- Benevolence: Its lush and generous growth can represent kindness and benevolence, as the plant provides nourishment to pollinators like butterflies and bees.
- Change: The transformative life cycle of White Joe-Pye Weed, from its initial sprouting to its full bloom, makes it a symbol of change and adaptability.
WaterThe White Snakeroot ('Album') prefers consistently moist soil, so regular watering is crucial, especially during dry spells. Water this plant deeply once a week, providing about 1-2 gallons per plant, depending on the size and the weather conditions. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant. It's important to avoid overwatering and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
LightWhite Snakeroot ('Album') thrives in partial shade to full sun. It's best positioned in a spot that receives morning sunlight and afternoon shade, especially in hotter regions, to prevent scorching of the leaves. An ideal location provides 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.
TemperatureWhite Snakeroot ('Album') can endure a wide range of temperatures, from as low as 20°F in winter to as high as 90°F in summer. However, this perennial prefers a temperate climate with temperatures ranging between 60°F and 75°F during its growing season.
PruningFor White Snakeroot ('Album'), pruning is done to maintain shape, remove spent flowers, and promote new growth. Cut back the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Deadheading, or removing old flower heads, can be done throughout the blooming season to encourage more blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWhite Snakeroot 'Album' thrives in a well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A mix of loam, compost, and a small amount of sand is ideal, providing both aeration and moisture retention. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.8 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingWhite Snakeroot 'Album' does not require frequent repotting as it’s mostly grown as a perennial outdoor plant. In garden settings, dividing the plants every 3-4 years to manage growth and spread is usually sufficient. Repot container specimens only when root bound.
Humidity & MistingWhite Snakeroot 'Album' is relatively adaptable but prefers average to high humidity levels. It thrives outdoors where the humidity is naturally regulated by the environment, without requiring specific adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, moist soil, and good air circulation.
Outdoor
Choose partial shade, moist soil, and mulch to retain moisture.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleEupatorium purpureum 'Album', commonly known as White Joe-Pye Weed, initiates its life as a seed that germinates in moist soil during the spring. The seedling emerges and develops into a robust, herbaceous perennial plant, which forms a clump with tall stems and lance-shaped leaves in its vegetative stage. Throughout the summer, it reaches maturity and produces terminal clusters of tiny, vanilla-scented, white flowers that attract various pollinators. After pollination, these flowers give way to seed heads that mature by autumn, releasing seeds that can be dispersed by wind or wildlife to propagate the species. During the winter, the plant enters a dormant phase, with the above-ground structure dying back, while the root system survives underground to regenerate new growth in the following spring. This cycle of growth, reproduction, seed dispersal, and dormancy continues annually throughout the plant's lifespan.
PropogationPropogation time
Late summer to early autumn
Propogation: Eupatorium purpureum 'Album', commonly known as White Joe-Pye Weed, is typically propagated through seed sowing or division. The most popular method is division, which is best done in the spring. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump of the plant, ensuring you keep a substantial amount of root for each section. Each division should have multiple shoots and a healthy root system. After separating the clump into smaller sections, replant the divisions immediately at the same depth they were growing at originally, spacing them about 2 to 3 feet apart to accommodate future growth. Water the new divisions thoroughly to help establish them. Within a season, these divisions should mature into sizable plants, fully capable of blooming if provided with adequate care.
