Eutrochium purpureum / Sweet Joe-Pye-Weed (Aster Family)

All gardens should have at least one Joe-Pye, and this is the one for the shadier and/or smaller spaces. This is the most shade-tolerant, drought tolerant, and shortest Joe-Pye in our area. Fits right in among American Bellflower, River Oats, and Zig-Zag Goldenrod. Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, and wasps all flock to this nectar plant in late summer over a very long bloom time. Flowers are replaced by very attractive cloud-like seed heads that stay nice for several months. All of my garden-grown plants have stayed around 4’ tall.
Blooms: Mauve, 4-6 weeks, Aug-Oct
Leaves:3-4 oblong leaves whorl up the stem
Height:4-7’ 
Space: 3-4’
Soil: Average
Exposure: Part Shade to Sun
Fauna: Long-tongue bees, butterflies, host to several moth species
Seeds: Large seed heads turn an attractive brown for winter interest
Native Status: NC Native, common in the Piedmont and Mountains, uncommon in the Sandhills
Provenance: Unknown, seed grown