Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Eastern Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Eastern Purple Coneflower is a hardy, long-blooming perennial that grows 2 to 4 feet tall, with striking purple-pink petals surrounding a raised, orange-brown central cone. It thrives in prairies, open woodlands, and roadsides, preferring well-drained loamy or sandy soils. This species is a favorite among pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while its seed heads provide food for birds in winter. Traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes, it is now widely cultivated in gardens for its ornamental appeal. Ideal for pollinator gardens, prairie restorations, and naturalized plantings, it adds color and resilience to landscapes. Echinacea purpurea is native to the Eastern United States and is similar to Echinacea angustifolia, our Minnesota native purple coneflower, but can be distinguished by angustifolia having mostly basal leaves that are narrow and long. Purpurea has been cultivated into many color variants for the nursery trade making it more popular, but it is not native to Minnesota and has no known natural occurrences in Minnesota.

Characteristics

Type	Forb
Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Soil	Clay, Loam, Sand/Gravel, Calcareous
Moisture	Dry, Mesic, Wet
Average Max Height (inches)	42
Suggested Plant Spacing (inches)	15
Bloom month(s)	July, August, September, October
Bloom Color or Type	Pink, Violet
Dominance	High

Range Maps

Sowing Information

Sow seed onto a firm, weed-free seedbed. Hand-broadcast seed making two perpendicular passes for even coverage. If planting a mix, broadcast the grass component first and lightly rake/drag it into the top 1/8–1/4" of soil. Next, broadcast wildflower/forb seed and press it into the soil surface (with a roller/cultipacker or the back of a rake) to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. After seeding, apply a very light layer of clean, seed-free straw (or other weed-free, site-appropriate mulch) to reduce erosion and retain moisture without smothering seedlings. A good rainfall or thorough watering will help settle seed and mulch and improve germination.

Planting Information

Dig a hole in your planting site slightly larger than the plant’s root system. When placing the plant into the hole, ensure that the soil line remains consistent with its original level in the pot. Fill in around the roots with the excavated soil, gently firming it to eliminate air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly the same day to promote successful establishment.