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Echinacea purpurea (Purple coneflower)

Echinacea purpurea Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner



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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name:Echinacea purpurea eh-kih-NAY-shah per-per-EE-ah Common Name: Purple coneflower Synonyms: Rudbeckia purpurea Genus: Echinacea
This classic garden perennial is an eastern US native that is a staple in American gardens. It grows to 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide with both basal and stem leaves that are bright green and lance-shaped. Its 6-inch-wide flowers are a combination of deep pink rays and a tall, golden brown, spiky disk, and they appear in midsummer and keep going into midfall.
 Noteworthy characteristics: The flowers attract bees and butterflies while in bloom. If the cones are left intact in winter, birds dine on the seeds.
 Care:

Grow in deep, well-drained soil in full sun. It is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity, and poor soils. Cut back stems to promote more flowering and reduce excessive self-seeding. Deadheading prolongs flowering.


 Propagation:

 Sow seed in spring. Divide clumps in spring every 3 to 4 years. Take root cuttings from autumn to early winter.


 Problems:

Leaf miners, powdery mildew, bacterial spots, and gray mold. Vine weevils may feed on roots.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Dry to Medium;Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Drought Tolerant
Characteristics Attracts Birds; Attracts Butterflies; Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time Early Fall; Fall; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower
Style Beds and Borders, Low- Maintenance, Sun, Cut Flower, Dried Flower, Cottage Garden, Meadow Garden, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Perennials,Natives

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