This perennial has upright fleshy stems and forms a bushy clump. It has rounded to lanced-shaped dark green leaves and the purple flower heads have lax petals and appear above the foliage on a slender stem during summer.

Hardiness zones 3 to 10

Echinacea purpurea is naturally found from central to eastern North America growing in dry prairies or woodlands in well drained moderately fertile moist sandy-stony soils. It prefers a open to wind protected sunny position and is drought tender but frost tolerant.

Coneflower is grown for its flowers and is mass planted in parks and gardens for bedding displays. It is also planted in cottage gardens or scented and herbal gardens. It has a fast growth rate and establishes from root cuttings in 1 to 2 years and is suitable for coastal and inland regions. The flowers are also used in floral arrangements.ID 579

Echinacea(e-kee-NAH-kee-a) purpurea(pur-PEWR-ree-a)

Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)     
(Compositae)
Sunflower Family