Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' (Pale Purple Coneflower) — Herbaceous perennial

Overview

Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' is a herbaceous perennial in the genus Echinacea, part of the Asteraceae family. It typically grows around 1.0 m tall. Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders, wildflower gardens and pollinator gardens. It is native to Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland and Ontario.

About

Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' is a cultivar of the pale purple coneflower in the Asteraceae family, notable for its narrow, drooping ray florets. It is a herbaceous perennial valued for a long summer into autumn display, flowering from July to October. The flowers bear pale rose‑purple to nearly white rays around a central cone. Plants develop from a taprooting crown and typically produce clearly defined single stems or multi‑stemmed clumps in cultivation.

About the genus

Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. It has ten species, which are commonly called coneflowers. They are native only in eastern and central North America, where they grow in wet to dry prairies and open wooded areas.

Wikipedia contributors, "Echinacea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Echinacea

In the garden

Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' belongs to the genus Echinacea within the Asteraceae and derives from the species commonly called the pale purple coneflower. The species originates from central North America and Ontario, where it grows as a herbaceous perennial with a pronounced taproot and narrow, elongated ray florets; the cultivar retains that characteristic floral form and appears in gardens from July to October. Give the plant a position where water does not stand around the crown; well‑drained soil suits its taproot and helps prevent rot. A site with good light will encourage flowering through the July–October period. Plants often form multi‑stemmed clumps in cultivation, so allow room for a rounded group rather than a single isolated crown. In UK planting schemes, use Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' in late‑summer borders, meadow or prairie‑style mixes and gravel beds where its paler, narrow rays can soften stronger colours. The vertical cones and slender, drooping petals add a different silhouette to summer borders and combine well with plants that provide contrasting leaf texture or structural seedheads later in the year. Siting it where the flower heads are visible up close rewards inspection of the narrow petals and central cones through to autumn.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Echinacea

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Sandy, Loamy, Clay
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Exposure: Full sun
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 1.0 m
Suggested uses: Borders, wildflower gardens, pollinator gardens
Native to: Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Ontario

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer'

Cultivation: Prefers well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming; cut back in late fall or early spring
Propagation: Seed, division

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer'?

Prefers well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid overwatering.

Where is the best place to plant Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer'?

Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' prefers full sun. It suits full sun positions.

What soil does Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' need?

Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.