Echinacea is a suitable addition to a prairie garden and attractive in flower arrangements. It is a popular perennial with smooth stems and long-lasting, lavender flowers. Echinacea is also a common ingredient in tea. Coneflowers self seed easily and grow well in heavy clay soil. Cone flowers are drought tolerant and long lived. They are also a great winter food source for native birds.
Planting/Harvesting Notes
- Plant once all danger of frost has passed
- Plant in full to partial sun
- Expect blooms from June to September
- Finished height 2-4 feet
- Purple coneflower can become very aggressive so plant in an area you don’t mind having a lot of them.
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Seed Saving
- Wait until the seed heads are completely dried and brown on the flower head
- Clip the flower head and put into a brown paper bag
- To separate seed, place seed heads into a coffee can or other large container with a lid. Shake vigorously. Seed should be in the bottom of the container and easy to collect.