Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower)

Purple coneflower is a stalwart of the perennial garden, blooming all summer and well into autumn depending upon the climate. It is easily grown in full sun to part shade but does best in full sun and dry or moist well-drained soils. An adaptable plant that is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil. Plants usually re-bloom without deadheading, but prompt removal of spent flowers improves general appearance. Freely self-seeds. It will naturalize. Good for borders, meadows, and naturalized areas.

Purple coneflower is native to parts of eastern North America and present in the wild to some extent more broadly. Its habitats include dry open woods, prairies, and barrens. The flowers attract many kinds of bees, including bumblebees, sweat bees, honey bees, the sunflower leafcutter bee, and the mining bee. Butterfly visitors include monarchs, swallowtails, and sulphur butterflies. Birds, particularly finches, eat the seeds and disperse them through their droppings. Slugs and rabbits will also eat the newly emerged foliage. 

BONAP Native Range Map (bright green indicates county native, dark green indicates state native)  

Photo by Kellen McCluskey

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