Common name: Purple Coneflower
Botanical name: Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae); Echinacea angustifolia
General information:
Excellent perennial flowering plant for Texas gardens. The purple coneflower is drought tolerant and native to the Midwest and southeastern United States. The daisy-shaped flowers are individually arranged on sturdy, elongated stems with soft lavender or purple petals and a coned center. These long-blooming perennials attract bees and butterflies and will flower all summer with little attention. Works well cut flower arrangements.
Characteristics
Size: 2 – 3 feet tall by 18 inches tall
Flowers: 2 – 7 inches across, with coppery-orange centers and bristly cone
Bloom time: June – October
Leaves: Oval green leaves with pointed tips, 3 inches long and 2 inches wide
Pests and Disease Problems: Rarely serious, though Japanese beetles sometimes eat both flowers and leaves
Growing in North Texas
May be started from seeds or transplanted from containers. Prefers full sun, but tolerates light shade. Fall is the best time to plant purple coneflower because they establish more easily in cooler weather. Place in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. The plants require supplemental water once or twice per week after established. Fertilize at planting time with a timed-released product. Propagation from root cuttings is reliable if performed in the fall.
Warning: The flower has reported medical uses, but sometimes causes allergic reactions if ingested.
References:
Texas AgriLife Extension
“Easy Gardens for North Central Texas”; Steve Huddleston and Pamela Crawford; Color Garden Publishing; 2009; pages 116 – 117
“Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening, Second Edition”; Neil Sperry; Taylor Publishing Company; 1991; pages 247 – 248
Keywords (tags): Perennial, floral gardens