SCIENTIFIC NAME: Echinacea purpurea

COMMON NAME: purple coneflower

FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)

TYPE: perennial

LEAVES: alternate, lower leaves ovate to broadly lanceolate, 4"-8" long, coarsely toothed, upper stem leaves narrower, nearly entire, sessile; dark green; have short stiff hairs

FLOWER: solitary heads, ray flowers pink-purple or white (white is called white-purple cone flower), disc flowers rust-brown, purplish; 1 1/2-3" diameter

SEASON OF BLOOM: summer

GROWTH HABIT: 2' to 4' upright, native to eastern U.S.

SOIL: best in well drained infertile soil, drought tolerant

SUN: full sun to part shade

HARDINESS: zone 3 to 8

UTILIZATION: naturalized area, cut flowers

DISEASES: leaf spots

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: Japanese beetle

PROPAGATION: division, root cuttings, seed; can reseed but usually not a problem

MAINTENANCE: clump division in spring every 4 years, low maintenance