Common Name: Purple Coneflower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Native to the Eastern United States, but naturalized all over North America.
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 2 to 5 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Purple-Pink flowers
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Dry to Medium
Maintenance: Low
Attracts: Bumble Bees, Butterflies, Birds (mainly Finch), Humans
Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog in reference to the flower’s spiny center cone. But this doesn’t deter the many pollinators that visit it. Bees and butterflies have a have a mutualistic relationship with this plant. They feed on the sweet abundant nectar of this plant and in return disperse the pollen from flower to flower. Purple Coneflower is a particular favorite of the rusty patched bumble bee, red throated hummingbird, and birds like finches enjoy the seeds. It is also a favorite of people as it is one of the most decorated and ornamental plants in today’s gardens.
Purple coneflower is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It is at its best in full sun and can be very tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soils. It is recommended to divide clumps when they become overcrowded (about every 4 years). The plants will usually rebloom without deadheading, however prompt removal of spent flowers improves the general appearance. Purple coneflower freely self-seeds if at least some of the seed heads are left in place. That is if the birds don’t get them!
Horticulture and Pollinator Information:
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c580
BioWeb
http://horticulture.cfans.umn.edu/
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Native to the Eastern United States, but naturalized all over North America.
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 2 to 5 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Purple-Pink flowers
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Dry to Medium
Maintenance: Low
Attracts: Bumble Bees, Butterflies, Birds (mainly Finch), Humans
Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog in reference to the flower’s spiny center cone. But this doesn’t deter the many pollinators that visit it. Bees and butterflies have a have a mutualistic relationship with this plant. They feed on the sweet abundant nectar of this plant and in return disperse the pollen from flower to flower. Purple Coneflower is a particular favorite of the rusty patched bumble bee, red throated hummingbird, and birds like finches enjoy the seeds. It is also a favorite of people as it is one of the most decorated and ornamental plants in today’s gardens.
Purple coneflower is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It is at its best in full sun and can be very tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soils. It is recommended to divide clumps when they become overcrowded (about every 4 years). The plants will usually rebloom without deadheading, however prompt removal of spent flowers improves the general appearance. Purple coneflower freely self-seeds if at least some of the seed heads are left in place. That is if the birds don’t get them!
Horticulture and Pollinator Information:
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c580
BioWeb
http://horticulture.cfans.umn.edu/