Coneflower is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that is native to central and eastern USA. It may grow 3 to 4 feet tall and produce pinkish-purple flowers that mature in early summer through mid-fall. Many cultivars are available for varied sizes and colors. Several pollinators are attracted to the flower, especially butterflies. Leave some flower heads on to produce seeds for the birds. This plant prefers well-drained moist loams but is adaptable to various soil types. It is drought tolerant once established and can grow in full sun to partial shade. If reseeding is not wanted, deadheading will remove the seeds. This is a popular and long-blooming plant for use in the native garden, meadows, pollinator gardens and naturalized areas. The award-winning 'Cheyenne Spirit' cultivar will provide a mix of flower colors. Not limited to one color, each plant can give you gold, orange, red, cream, purple and yellow flowers. It can be found growing in prairie habitats. It is a host plant for the silvery checkerspot butterfly larvae, Chloryne nycteis . Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Japanese beetle and leaf spot are occasional problems. It is susceptible to aster yellows disease. Excellent resistance to phytophthora. More information on Echinacea purpurea .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.