Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

Purple Coneflower is a delightful and somewhat iconic perennial that most of us can identify. Its purple flowers are showy, long-blooming, and the seeds are eaten by birds such as finches. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and bees love the flowers. The blooms make good cut flowers.  Purple Coneflower prefers full to part sun and is best grown in moist to medium conditions in well-draining soil. Fall is the best time for planting purple coneflower since the cooler weather makes it easier for the plant to get established. Purple Coneflower needs supplemental irrigation once or twice a week in the summer after establishment. It works well when planted in en masse, as part of a border, perennial bed, meadow, prairie or woodland edge.   AT A GLANCE Texas native Marginally native Water use Medium Sun exposure Sun, part sun, part shade Bloom color Pink Bloom time Spring, summer Mature height 2-3 ft Mature spread 1-3 ft Attracts Butterflies, hummingbirds Hos