Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Though native to the Midwestern US, Echinacea purpurea is commonly cultivated in the Mid-Atlantic Region, popular with gardeners, pollinators, and goldfinches. It also is a plant that retains interest beyond the growing season. This video shows how Echinacea transitions from summer to autumn to winter in the demonstration gardens. Imagine how it might fare in your flowerpots or beds.
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.
Print Version: Echinacea purpurea, Purple Coneflower
Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: Tried and True Plant Fact Sheets
