Spotted Joe Pye weed grows in wet meadows, ditches and riversides. Habitats similar to its cousins Eutrochium dubium and fistulosum. However E. dubium has a coastal distribution while E. fistulosum is the really big one of the group, up to nine feet tall with dome shaped flowers. Eutrochium maculatum, though, grows between 3 and 5 feet tall (similar in size to dubium) and has flat to slightly dome shaped flower clusters. It also has a more mountain and upper mid-west distribution. Stems are spotted or solid purple and slightly pubescent. Pink flower clusters appear from July-September. Attracts tons of pollinators and is relatively well behaved. Zone 4-8. PA ecotype. // Seed Packet: about 50 seeds. Germination requirements: 60 days cold-moist stratification.