Riesenschirm Joe Pye weed is a form of a plant that is native to the moist meadows and stream margins of eastern north America. 'Riesenschirm' was developed in Germany and its name translates to 'Giant Umbrellas,' a reference to the large (8 inch diameter) reddish purple seed heads that appear in mid-summer.

Riesenschirm reaches about 5 to 7 feet in height and about 3 feet in width making it an excellent plant for the back of a border. It attracts butterflies and pollinators in the summer and the seed heads provide food for birds in the winter months if not cut back in the fall. It can cope with clay and wet soils and is not generally attractive to deer making it a resilient performer for native and informal gardens.