Purple Coneflower
Latin Name: Echinecia purpurea
Family: Asteraceae
Facts about Purple Coneflower:
Herbaceous perennial and blooms from June to September
Looks Like:
Leaf: The alternate leaves, , are oval to lanceolate, 5-30 x 5-12 cm; the margin is tightened to toothed, dark green in colour.
Bloom Description: Its cone-shaped flowering heads are usually, but not always, purple, and are 12 -18 cm generally. Its individual flowers (florets) within the flower head are hermaphroditic, having both male and female organs in each flower.
Showy daisy-like Purple Coneflowers blooms throughout summer into autumn.
The sturdy stalks, which may reach 5 feet in height, rarely bend or require staking.
Bloom Description: Purplish pink
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Size: Height: 75-120 cm, Spread: 45-60 cm
Soil Moisture: Drought tolerant prefers well drained soil.
Soil Description: very tolerant of poor soil conditions, but they perform best in soil that has some organic matter.
Biodiversity Benefits:
Attracts bees and butterflies, and birds.
The dead flower stems will remain erect well into the winter, and if flower heads are not removed, the blackened cones may be visited by goldfinches or other birds that feed on the seeds.
Historical Use:
Used extensively in traditional indigenous medicines for numerous injuries and ailments. Used by pharmaceutical companies.
How to plant Purple Coneflower:
Fall seed planting:
When: Late fall (mid October onward)
Plant seed about 0.5 cm deep.
If planting more than 1 seed, plant them each 15 cm apart.
Lightly compact the soil.