Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) — Herbaceous perennial

Overview

Echinacea purpurea is a herbaceous perennial perennial herbaceous in the genus Echinacea, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.2 m tall and 0.5 m wide. Echinacea purpurea grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders, wildflower gardens, pollinator gardens and cut flowers. It is native to C&E North America.

About

Echinacea purpurea is a perennial herbaceous plant that produces prominent conical flower heads with purple ray florets and a central seed cone. It reaches about 1.2 m tall with a spread near 0.5 m. Flowers are produced from July to October. Best grown in full sun in sandy or loamy, well-drained soil that can remain moderately moist.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Echinacea purpurea

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 purpurea originates from central and eastern North America and is a herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae. Plants form upright clumps to roughly 1.2 m tall and 0.5 m across, carrying conical heads of purple florets through the main flowering season of July to October. Place Echinacea purpurea in a full-sun position on sandy or loamy soil that drains freely; it tolerates soil that stays moderately moist provided water does not sit around the roots. The species carries a UK hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy and can be left in the ground over winter in UK conditions. In the garden use it where tall, architectural flowerheads are wanted: traditional mixed borders, meadow or wildflower strips, pollinator areas and for cutting. Allow about 0.5 m between plants so each clump can develop and you have room to take stems for the vase; mature clumps provide upright seasonal presence from midsummer into autumn.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Echinacea

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Sandy, Loamy
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing
Exposure: full sun
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Echinacea purpurea size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: perennial herbaceous
Habit: Herbaceous perennial
Foliage: Deciduous
Height: 1.2 m
Spread: 0.5 m
Suggested uses: borders, wildflower gardens, pollinator gardens, cut flowers
Native to: C&E North America

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Echinacea purpurea

Cultivation: Prefers well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming; cut back in late fall or early spring
Propagation: Seed, division, root cuttings
Pest resistance: Aphids, Slugs, Snails
Disease resistance: Powdery mildew