Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years!

Mertensia virginica en masse.
Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Perennials / Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) emerging in April
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) showing involucral bracts
Bombus bimaculatus (two-spotted bumble bee) and Atalopedes campestris (sachem skipper) on Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) in July
Papilio glaucus (eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly) on Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) in July
Echinacea planted en masse to attract pollinators in Bon Air Park’s Sunny Garden in Arlington
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) leaves
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) hirsute stem
Spinus tristis (American goldfinch) on Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
Coroniform pappi with denticulate margins of Echinacea purpurea

Note: Click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions.
On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).

Purple Coneflower has a rich history of medicinal use that has resulted in its over harvesting and decline in its natural habitat, centered in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. The few established populations in Virginia and Pennsylvania appear to be escapes from cultivation. So many beneficial insects (and goldfinches) flock to it though, one thinks of Echinacea as native here and a “must-have” for a sunny garden. Perennial En Masse,* with Visitors,** in Late Winter Height: 2–4 feet Spread: 11⁄2–2 feet Bloom Color: Mauve, lavender Characteristics Tallish perennial with coarse dark green foliage Prickly, deep orange disk or “cone” encircled by mauve rays that droop with age; blooms for one month early summer, then may rebloom early fall Cone produces seeds, matures to brown/black Attributes Tolerates poor soil, heat, humidity; intolerant of water logging; susceptible to leaf spot (when watering do not get moisture on leaves/stems); deer seldom to occasionally severely damage Blooms last well as cut flowers Winter interest if not deadheaded & cones remain Ethnobotanic, therapeutic, and herbal uses Attracts beneficial insects and goldfinches; may be larval host to Silvery Checkerspot butterfly Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Slightly acid, well-drained Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Prefers full sun but will wilt if soil is too dry Excellent Replacement for Aster species (including Michaelmas Daisy) Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife Melilotus officinalis - Sweetclover Deadhead to control seeds–won’t affect rebloom*** *Betula nigra with its exfoliating bark provides the focal point of this landscape with blooming Echinacea purpurea in the foreground and just behind, the grasses of Panicum virgatum. **Echinacea attracts pollinators like bees, wasps, syrphid flies, skippers, and butterflies (eastern tiger swallowtail pictured). ***Seeds might be controlled naturally by American goldfinches (a male perched on a cone above).They so relish the seeds that they can eat a crop in a few days. Divide clumps when crowded, every four years Use in borders; butterfly, cutting or meadow gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills (top), landscaping at Adventist HealthCare, Rockville, MD and by Mary Free, Glencarlyn Garden and (goldfinch) private garden, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

Purple Coneflower has a rich history of medicinal use that has resulted in its over harvesting and decline in its natural habitat, centered in Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. The few established populations in Virginia and Pennsylvania appear to be escapes from cultivation. So many beneficial insects (and goldfinches) flock to it though, one thinks of Echinacea as native. In any case, its attributes make it a “must-have” for a sunny garden.

Video © Mary Free

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

Back to Top