Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a hardy, herbaceous perennial native to the eastern and central United States. Known for its showy, daisy-like flowers with downward-curving pink to purple petals and a prominent coppery-orange central cone, this plant typically grows 2 to 5 feet tall and spreads 1.5 to 2 feet wide. It blooms from June through August, providing a long season of color and vital forage for pollinators. Adaptable and low-maintenance, Purple Coneflower thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade, and grows best in well-drained soils, though it can handle clay, drought, heat, and poor fertility with ease. This resilience has made it a favorite in native plant gardens, prairies, and pollinator meadows.
Ecologically, Echinacea purpurea is a powerhouse. Its nectar-rich flowers attract a wide array of pollinators, including bumblebees, sweat bees, honeybees, butterflies like monarchs and swallowtails, and even hummingbirds. It also serves as a larval host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne nycteis). As the growing season ends, the dried seed heads remain upright and become an important winter food source for songbirds, especially finches. Its long blooming period and multifaceted support for native insects and birds make it a key species for habitat restoration and biodiversity-focused gardening.
