Hollow Joe pye weed
Eutrochium fistulosum
Asteraceae · [VERIFY] · native
Last updated
Tall, erect perennial to 4 to 7 feet with coarsely serrated, lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls on sturdy, hollow green stems. Tiny vanilla-scented, dull pinkish-purple flowers appear in large, domed, compound inflorescences in mid-summer.
Prefers moist, fertile, humus-rich soils in full sun to part shade; tolerates average soils if moisture is consistent. Butterfly and pollinator magnet; dramatic architectural presence for back borders, cottage gardens, meadows, and water margins.
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Mar 30, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,116 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 5,867 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,112 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 5,871 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,049 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 5,935 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,048 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 5,935 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,041 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 5,942 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,017 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 5,966 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,012 | Pre-season | Beginning of flowering | 5,971 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ○ Beginning of flowering BBCH 61 NEXT | 6983 | — |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? Source GDD₅₀ thresholds from Herms 2004 (OSU, Secrest Arboretum, Ohio) and UMD IPMnet (Gill & Klick, mid-Atlantic), converted to GDD₃₂ via Kent bloom-date mapping. Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Mar 30, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Apr 15, 2026, then climate normals.