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Key characteristics

Family: Asteraceae
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Width: 2 to 3 feet
Flower color: Purple-pink petals with an orange-brown central cone
Foliage color: Green
Bloom time: Summer to early fall
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low
Growing zone: USDA Zones 3-8
Wildlife: Butterflies, bees, and seed-eating birds

Perennials

Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea, commonly known as purple coneflower, is a hardy perennial that produces vibrant, daisy-like flowers from midsummer to early fall. The blooms feature prominent, spiky orange-brown centers surrounded by drooping, purple-pink petals, adding bold texture and color to the garden. These long-lasting flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Native to central and eastern North America, Echinacea purpurea thrives in prairies and open woodlands.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Summer to early fall

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Bird Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Ornamental grasses · Garden phlox · Black-eyed Susans · Daylilies · Lavender · Coreopsis

Design tip

Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)