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Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea purpurea

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ConeflowerPerennialFamily: Asteraceae

Height: 1.5mSpread: 60cm
Hardy

Attractive to wildlife

Flower colour:

Pink

Foliage colour:

Green

Position

Sun Exposure:

Dappled shade, full sun

Aspect:

South facing, west facing

Position in Border:

Middle

Soil

Prefers rich soil:

Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Echinaceas have grown in popularity in recent years, thanks to the new trend for prairie-style planting. Known for their use in herbal medicine, these herbaceous perennials have pretty, daisy-like flowers with a central cone, hence their common name, coneflower. They're easy to grow as they tolerate most soils (except very dry ones), and their sturdy stems mean that staking is unnecessary.

Echinacea purpurea, also known as purple coneflower, has pink flowers and a large, orange-brown cone in the centre. It's perfect for growing in drifts towards the middle or back of a cottage-style or herbaceous border, or among grasses and rudbeckias in a prairie-style planting scheme. It's resistant to adverse weather and doesn't need staking. The flowers are long-lived, are excellent for cutting and are extremely attractive to pollinators. There are many cultivars of Echinacea purpurea available, ranging in height, flower colour and size of cone. They include the shorter, dark pink 'Magnus' and the short, pale pink 'Mistra'.

Grow Echinacea purpurea in well-drained soil in full sun. Deadhead the flowers as they fade to encourage more to form, but in autumn leave the seedheads for the birds. Cut them back the following spring, when the new foliage emerges.

Mulch echinaceas with well-rotted manure or compost in autumn. Lift congested clumps in autumn or spring.

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Echinacea ‘Purpurea’ and wildlife

Echinacea ‘Purpurea’ is known for attracting bees, birds and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.

Is known to attract Bees

Bees

Is not known to attract Beneficial insects

Beneficial insects

Is known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Butterflies/Moths

Butterflies/Moths

Is known to attract Other pollinators

Other pollinators

Is Echinacea ‘Purpurea’ poisonous?

Echinacea ‘Purpurea’ has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Cats

Cats

Is not known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is not known to attract People

People