Echinacea 'Purple Coneflower'

A hardy and easy-to-grow echinacea, Echinacea purpurea—commonly known as Purple Coneflower—is beloved for its large, daisy-like blooms with purple petals and prominent orange-bronze centres. Vigorous, upright plants are long-blooming and attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

Unlike other species of echinacea that form deep taproots, E. purpurea has fibrous roots, making them easier to harvest. Traditionally used in herbal medicine, the roots are typically harvested after 3–4 years of growth to ensure size and potency.

Drought-tolerant once established and adaptable to a range of soil conditions, it thrives in full sun and makes a bold statement in prairie-style plantings, borders, and pollinator gardens.

Also known as Eastern Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, and Snakeroot.
Perennial in Zones 3–10.

DETAILS:

QTY: 50

SITE: Full Sun

TYPE: Perennial

DEPTH: 1/8"

GERMINATION: 10-15 days at 18-21C

MATURITY: 300 - 365 Days

HEIGHT: 24 - 36"

SPACING: 18 - 24"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:

Transplant (recommended): Sow 8–10 weeks before planting outdoors. Transplant into cell packs or larger containers after the first true leaves appear—typically 30–40 days after sowing. Harden off seedlings before transplanting outside in late spring or early summer.

Direct seed: Sow in spring when soil has warmed to at least 18°C. Sow in groups of 3–4 seeds, 1/8" deep, then thin to the strongest seedling. Alternatively, sow in the fall—natural rainfall and fluctuating temperatures help break dormancy and encourage strong germination in spring.