it is and it is also reseeds like a weed in the garden. Most of the seedlings similar to parent have dark foliage, few have lighter color.

I've been really wondering why a lot of people like Joe Pye Weed and why people talk about it a lot. I think it's time to ask why it is so famous. Anyone please?

I was never lucky enough to get my Chocolate Joe to reseed, but it was one of my favourite plants in my previous garden. The foliage was gorgeous all summer, dark brown/green but the real surprise was the silvery shower of white flowers at the end of summer and early fall. A real showpiece.

I don't like the normal Joe Pye as much but it gets nice and big and it does seem to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Are the flowers all over the plant? Am I correct that flowers look similar to redtwig dogwoods?

Beautiful plant! Mine was covered in flowers in the fall, and I didn't get much in the way of reseeding, just a few here and there (one seedling turned into a nice plant - same dark foliage, potted it up and gave it to my brother). The foliage is top-notch all season. I have mine planted in full sun, and the foliage color does not fade. I say get it!

Yes, the flowers are big clusters of tiny white flowers, I think a bit more ethereal than the dogwood flowers. but because of the dark foliage and the fact that they need to be in a shady spot, makes it seem like a burst of fireworks.

flowers are tiny but they create a cloud, it is more like ageratum than dogwood.
Do not clean this plant for fall clean up, leave it be and you will see how many seedlings you will get.
V1, if you planning on coming this fall you can have your pick of seedlings, between E. garden and mine we have them growing everywhere.

I have had this plant for four(or has it been five??) years and not once has it bloomed. It blooms so late that frosts git it in mid-bud stage. Several years ago I even moved it from a part shade area to full sun area, hoping it would bloom earlier, but no luck. A bit of a let down in that way, but I still keep it around for its nice dark foliage and upright habit.
CMK

Wow mx, I just re-read your post. Full sun? Do you need to water it a lot more? In the shade mine seemed to need tons of water but maybe it was dry shade.

Pam - it will droop if it's too dry or it's one of those 90+ hot blazing sun days but then perk up in the evening and/or when watered. I watered the heck out of it the first season to get it established but I don't baby it at this point. I wouldn't call it a drought-tolerant plant by any means nor would I plant it in dryish soil, but it seems to do fine in "average" soil in full sun.

Neil,

I never clean my CJPW and it has never reseeded. I also don't mulch so there's no reason why it shouldn't reseed.

If I had a choice between the Cocolate and the Maculatum or other monstrous varieties, me choice would be the plain monster. :O) Mine grow to 7+feet and impress the heck out of me evey year.

The Chocolate is nice for foliage colour, but the others make a statement in the gardens.