Perennial of the Month-- November 2007 

(u-pah-TORE-ee-um  ma-kew-LA-tum) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)

Common name: Carin Joe-pye weed, boneset

Family: Asteraceae, Aster

Height x width: 5-7ft x 2-4ft (possibly larger under ideal conditions)

Growth rate: moderate

Foliage: deep purple stems, leaves whorled with usually 3-5 leaves per node, lanceolate, serrated, 8-10in. long

Flowers: light pink to lavender to silvery pink to 6in. or more across in corymb-like domed panicle; on branched terminal short stalks, late summer (early Aug. south, early Sept. north)

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9

Soil: average to moist

Light: sun (best) to part shade

Pests and problems: none serious, deer resistant; leaves scorch if dry and hot

Landscape habit, uses: great late season butterfly plant, backs of borders, moist areas, natural areas such as meadows, massed; combine with New England asters, goldenrod cultivars, black-eyed susan, sedum

Other interest: originally from Dale Hendricks of North Creek Nurseries (wholesale, PA), and name for one of his former employees, propagator Carin Bonafacino; species is a native prairie plant

Other culture: may need staking, if so, cut back early following summer by half to reduce final height; may need dividing every few years to keep vigorous

Propagation: spring division, stem cuttings early summer

Sources:  many perennial nurseries locally, online, or mailorder