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Purple Coneflower Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Strength, healing, health, fortitude.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Echinacea
Native to
Eastern and central North America
Bloom season
Summer, Early Fall
Type
herbaceous perennial
Height
60–120 cm
Sunlight
Full sun
Soil
Well-drained, average fertility
Water
Low to moderate; drought tolerant
Hardiness
3–9
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • The genus name 'Echinacea' comes from the Greek 'echinos' (hedgehog), referring to the spiky central cone.
  • Native American tribes used echinacea medicinally for over 400 years before European settlers adopted it for treating colds and infections.
  • Modern echinacea cultivars come in dramatic colors — orange, red, yellow, even green — far beyond the original pink-purple.
  • Goldfinches love coneflower seeds and will cling to the cones in late summer to feast on them.
  • Echinacea is one of the top-selling herbal supplements in North America and Europe.

Uses

  • Ornamental
  • Herbal medicine
  • Pollinator gardens
  • Cut flowers