Photos are representative and may not match your specific variety.
Purple Coneflower
Native wildflower
Native wildflowerEchinacea purpurea
- Partial sun
- Zones 3–8
- 300 days to maturity
- Flowers
- 18" spacing
- High water
- Perennial
- pH 6–8
Overview
Easy-to-grow echinacea. Vigorous plants with large, purple-petaled flowers. Fibrous roots are easy to harvest (other species have taproots). Attracts and is a food source for bees. Also known as purple coneflower and eastern purple coneflower. Normally grown for 3-4 years for harvest of sizeable roots. Perennial in Zones 3-10.
Planting
Direct sow in fall or cold stratify seeds for 30 days before spring sowing. Surface sow and barely cover as seeds need light to germinate.
Growing
Sun: partial. Water: high. Soil pH: 6–8. Space plants 18" apart. Germination: 10-20.
Pests & diseases
Common pests: Japanese beetles, aphids, spider mites. Common diseases: Powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soils.