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Echinacea purpurea
Eastern Purple Coneflower, Hedgehog Coneflower

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Purple Coneflower is found naturally in meadows and roadsides throughout the Central U.S. The few western counties of NC where Purple Coneflower is reported to occur consitute the easternmost edge of its natural range at our latitude. However, this plant must be the all-time favorite native wildflower for sunny pollinator gardens and meadows throughout the south. The ray flowers are shades of pink and droop around a protruding spiny dome of coppery-orange disc flowers. Blooms up to four inches across are borne on the tips of strong stems two to four feet tall, which make these wonderful cut flowers. Purple Coneflower provides bold color from May to September, attracting myriads of butterflies and hummingbirds. Although it will seed out, it is not difficult to control. Purple Coneflower is resistant to drought, is low maintenance, and if left in the garden in the fall will provide food for Goldfinches and many other birds.

Last Updated: May 15, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench
Common Names: Eastern Purple Coneflower, Hedgehog Coneflower
Family Name: Asteraceae (Composite, or Daisy Family)
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Uses: Perennial Border, Naturalizing, Meadow, Butterfly garden
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium, Moist well drained
Bloom Times: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Flower Color: Pink? lavender? purple? with yellow/orange center
Special Characteristics: Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Drought tolerant, Attracts birds, Good cut flowers

Additional Info

Habit: Upright stems, with little branching, arise from a basal clump, supporting terminal flowers; leaves growing smaller up the stem. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous, developing small, dense colonies of plants.
Height: 2'-4'
Spread: 2'
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Conditions: Moist to dry, well drained; pH acidic to basic; sand, loam, clay.
Leaves: Scattered, alternate or opposite leaves, lanceolate with rounded base and widely serrated margins, smaller towards top of the stem.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Single flowers are daisy-like, up to 4" across and borne at the ends of straight, strong stems. 10-20 purple/pink narrow, sterile ray flowers droop around a domed, gold/orange center or cone of many prickly, perfect, nectar-rich disk florets.
Fruit: Disk florets are replaced by dark achenes that are narrow, flat and dried to a dull brown.
Natural Distribution: Dry,open woods, thickets, prairies, savannas, and limestone glades.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: not available
Pollination: Bees, bee flies, butterflies, other insects and hummingbirds
Wildlife Connections: Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies (Monarchs, Fritillaries, Painted Ladies, Swallowtails, Sulfurs, and Whites), skippers and native bees in spring and summer ; in the fall, birds eat the seeds, most notably Eastern Goldfinches.(Illinoiswildflowers.info)
Pharmacology: There are reportes that extracts of Echinacea can boost the human immune system, but pharmaceutical uses of Echinacea are complex and controversial (see Wikipedia).
Cultural Notes: Spacing for good air circulation is recommended. Echinacea may become aggressive in optimal conditions so may require maintenance every 3-4 years
Downside: Seeds out. Each flower persists several weeks, but deadheading will be necessary to keep the plant blooming and attractive. Coneflower has no serious disease problems.
Propagation: By seed or by division.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Who we are

Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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Cure Nursery operates by appointment only. Call us or email us to place an order for pick up or to arrange a time to come visit the nursery.

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