Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Eutrochium maculatum 'Gateway'
Gateway Joe Pye Weed
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height
- 5-7 feet tall
- Width
- 2-4 feet wide
- Flower color
- Soft pink to mauve
- Foliage color
- Dark green with a hint of purple on stems
- Bloom time
- Midsummer to early fall
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate to high
- Maintenance
- Low; cut back in late winter or early spring
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 4-9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; provides seeds for birds
About this plant
Eutrochium maculatum 'Gateway' produces large, fluffy clusters of mauve-pink flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. These flower heads, rich with nectar, are highly attractive to pollinators, drawing in bees and butterflies to their abundant blooms. The deep pink tones add a soft vibrancy to the late-season garden, making 'Gateway' a valuable choice for bringing color to borders and naturalized plantings when many other plants begin to fade.
Originating from North America, this cultivar thrives in moist areas and is often found near water sources in the wild. The stems are sturdy and display a distinctive purple-speckled pattern, adding visual interest even when not in bloom. 'Gateway' fits beautifully into prairie-style gardens, rain gardens, and wildflower meadows, where its tall, airy presence complements grasses and other perennials for a relaxed, natural look.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Bird Gardens · Rain Gardens
Companion plants
Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Columbines · Lungworts · Daylilies
Design tip
Fall bloom is its strength, and it earns a place near a path or seating area used late in the year. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Center for Urban Horticulture and in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
