Hollow Joe-pye Weed and Bee Homes April 30 2020
There is still time this spring to plant hollow Joe-pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum) either by seed, plug or plant. By this time next year, if you have put it in the right location, your hollow Joe-pye weed should be about 3' tall depending on the spring weather, too, of course.
March is a good time to cut back the old stems which hopefully, you have left up all winter. Leave about 1' of stem when you cut these plants back and you will be making a home for bees for the coming year. Also, the old stems will provide support for the new growth and the old stems will soon not show at all. Take the old cut stems and either lay them on the ground or stack them up teepee style to make more bee homes.