Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Purple

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

High

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Parking Strip, Patio

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

The Purple Coneflower is a long-lived, reliable standby for the perennial garden. And while not xeric, it manages quite well with just weekly watering. Rosy purple petals fall below the prominent orange-tinged cone and blooms in late June to September. Foliage is large, with a rounded lance shape. An excellent cut flower, they provide nectar for bumblebees and butterflies, and the seeds provide forage for migrating song birds, so don't cut them all!

Plant in compost enriched soil that is well drained. Will grow in sun to part shade. Flowers left to dry on the plant will produce seed that will be enjoyed by birds, and may reseed to create a lovely, natural-looking garden. Not terribly drought tolerant in our hot valley, but they would do well in a moderly watered garden, or in the bench areas.