Big daisy flowers with drooping rose-purple petals around a bristly copper cone, a magnet for bees and butterflies. Seed heads feed finches if left standing into winter.
At a glance
- Plant type: Perennial
- Mature size: 1 m H × 50 cm W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea is a moderate-growing perennial in the Asteraceae family. It reaches around 1 m tall and 50 cm wide at maturity, with deciduous foliage. Purple and pink flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Purple Coneflower
Purple Coneflower suits cool-temperate, warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice, is deer-resistant and is an award-winning selection.
Soil & planting
Most soils suit Purple Coneflower provided drainage is reasonable. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Purple Coneflower performs well with relatively little water once established. Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth. During the first growing season, water deeply whenever the upper soil begins to dry, then reduce the frequency as roots establish.
Pruning & care
Prune Purple Coneflower after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Its ongoing care level is low maintenance.
Using Purple Coneflower in the garden
Purple Coneflower earns its place for feeding bees and pollinators, attracting butterflies, drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden and cut flowers for the vase.
Companion planting & design
Build the planting around neighbours suited to the same happy on low water and cool-temperate climate as Purple Coneflower. Repeating the foliage or flower colour nearby will make the composition feel deliberate.
Good to know
It is regarded as non-toxic and pet-safe.
Buying Purple Coneflower
Plant Sale lists Purple Coneflower as potted plants. Use the interest form above to check current sizes, pricing and availability before ordering.
