Gateway Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum subsp. maculatum 'Gateway')
Eutrochium per-per-EE-um subspecies mak-yew-LAY-tum 'Gateway'

Deciduous Perennial in the Asteraceae Family

Eutrochium purpureum, commonly called sweet Joe-Pye weed, is a striking native perennial that brings bold late-season color and height to moist borders and naturalized plantings. Forming tall, upright clumps that typically reach 5 to 7 feet, it carries whorls of large, dark green leaves on sturdy stems tinged with purple, especially at the leaf nodes -- the crushed foliage carries a faint vanilla-like scent, a useful trait for telling it apart from its spotted-stemmed relative, Eutrochium maculatum. From midsummer into early fall, the plant is topped with large, rounded clusters of tiny mauve-pink to lavender-pink flowers that are rich in nectar and draw a steady stream of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It adapts to a range of moist soil conditions and tolerates partial shade, making it a dependable anchor for the back of a perennial border, a rain garden, or a naturalized planting.

Pros

  • Huge, late-summer flower clusters are a major draw for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
  • Aromatic, vanilla-scented foliage adds another sensory dimension to the garden
  • Deer resistant and largely free of serious pests or diseases
  • Tolerates a range of moist soil conditions, including occasional wet spells

Cons

  • Needs consistently moist soil; leaves scorch if it's allowed to dry out
  • Substantial size needs real space -- not a plant for a small bed
  • Can self-seed freely in favorable conditions
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 4 - 5 feet tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance - Wet
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Deciduous, Full Sun, Full Sun, Perennial, Wet
Bloom Period July to September
Flower Color Mauve/Pink
Foliage Color
 

Plant Club Content
 

More Info from Experts

Photos of This with...

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass, Golden Showers Threadleaf Coreopsis, Russian Sage, Burgundy Candles Meadow Sage,
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size


© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!