Joe Pye Weed (Little Joe)

One gorgeous WEED! who cares anyway?! lol... It loves water and grows all along the stream. it's in competition with the oenothera and Pampas grass to see who can grow the tallest. Do you have Boneset? (Eupatorium perfoliatum. ) it's a bit shorter with white fragrant flowers much like the Joe Pye flowers.

You're right, I've seen JPW get over 10' tall. This is Little Joe or dwarf version which maxes out at about 4' - perfect for my little flower bed. I haven't heard of boneset, but I will look it up. Thanks for letting me know. It could be just what my flowerbed needs.

Boneset would be a perfect companion to Little Joe Pye Weed. I think also some 'Goldenrod' to finish it off. Do you have Goldenrod growing up there?

Ummm... may I suggest something a bit less invasive..like verbascum? verbascum chaixii "Sixteen Candles"..(pictures on the websites don't do it justice...I have pics of the flowers on my page somewhere...will have to look for it and post for you. ) I know this sound a bit contrary to my previous remarks about JP, BUT, if ever there was a plant deserving of the name weed, it's goldenrod.
I know there is work being done on goldenrod in the Netherlands... trying to tame the rapacious weed. If allowed to go to seed it can take over a whole pasture. Every year I've used the weed whipper to take it down before it goes to seed... but it still comes back. I think it's rhizomatous and spreads underground as well as seeding a mat of progeny. Be prepared for some ruthless weeding.

OK I appreciate the word of caution. I don't have time or patience to deal with the likes of goldenrod. I'll take a look at verbascum or maybe just leave it as it is.

that's wise, BG. Verbascum is an acquired taste, I find. I have the Tall Verbascum thapsis... it's a gorgeous plant when it's emerging and in blossom...(it branches like a saguaro) it's completely naturalize and is great as a background plant in a meadow planting...looks good with hollyhocks, and you can get them from a meadow! This year I'm trying another big plant, Macleaya (plume poppy) I'm looking for "architecturals" and a friend gave me two small seedlings... probably not what you're looking for as it's not native to NA... But I'm into spreaders and tall plants to fill up space. There is a more civilized var. of Verbascum that only grows to 3 ft... I think I have one to post a pic. They're self seeders and can be allowed to roam at will if you have the space but they're so prominent(and biennial) that you'll see them and can yank them out if so inclined. Could be V. album, or "Wedding Candles" ... I'm thankful for google, I couldn't keep all of my plants in my head, if I tried!!

BG: Sorry if this is belabouring the point...but I just saw a pic of Veronicastrum in Andrewr's garden... thought you might be interested. (that's if you haven't seen it already!)

Thanks. I think the smaller version would be more appropriate for my tiny garden - along the back border sounds very appealing. I shall google.