Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Image: North Creek Nurseries
 
Overview:
Echinacea purpurea, or the Purple Coneflower is a resilient perennial featuring purple-pink petals that surround an orange cone. Flowers bloom in the late summer (July and August) to early fall and grows up to 2-4' tall. Pollinators are attracted to the nectar and finches forage seeds during the fall. It is tolerant to drought, pests, poor soils, clay, and deer. However, it is suspectible to aster yellows disease.
 
Care:
Purple Coneflowers tolerate a range of soil conditions.  Plant in average to dry, well-drained soils in partial shade or full sun. Encourage longer bloom periods by deadheading flower heads. Propagate by root cuttings, seeds, or dividing clumps during the spring every 4 years, To propogate, divide clump in the spring every 4 years. Root cuttings are also successful.
 
Variants: Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' boasts the same size, vigor, and large flowers as the more common pink forms, but in white. Plant them together, in good big clumps, for a sensational summer display.
 
Ordering Instructions: https://www.landhealthinstitute.org/how-to-order