Coneflower 'Purple'

Echinacea purpurea, commonly known as the purple coneflower, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the central to southeastern United States. It can be found in moist prairies, meadows, and open woods, ranging from Ohio to Michigan to Iowa, south to Louisiana and Georgia. It typically grows to a height of 2-4 feet and produces beautiful, daisy-like purple flowers throughout the summer. The flowers grow on sturdy stems covered in coarse, ovate to broad-lanceolate, dark green leaves. The flowers are excellent for fresh-cut arrangements or dried flowers.

The dead flower stems will remain upright throughout the winter. If you do not remove the flower heads, goldfinches or other birds that feed on the seeds may visit the blackened cones. The purple coneflower is an adaptable plant that can tolerate drought, heat, humidity, and poor soil. It grows in full sun to part shade and is easy to cultivate in average, well-drained soil. While it usually reblooms without deadheading, removing spent flowers can improve its appearance. You can divide the plant when the clumps become overcrowded, usually every four years. The plant also self-seeds quite freely if you leave at least some of the seed heads in place.