Coneflowers grow well in average garden soils and in hot, dry conditions, but they resent wet feet. They are equally happy in either full or part sun and require only deadheading to keep them blooming vigorously and to keep them tidy. They will self-sow, with seedlings usually varying in shade from the parent plant but attractive nonetheless. The plants never require staking, but they are prey to Japanese beetles. (See page 116 for ways to control this pest.) In the South, divide the plant crowns every 3 to 4 years to keep coneflowers vigorous.
This North American native, closely related to black-eyed Susan, is a must for the perennial border. A great garden plant, coneflower has brightly colored blossoms in shades of purplish red, rosy pink, carmine, or crimson-red—depending on how you see color. (Echinacea purpurea, purple coneflower, is shown here.) Pure white selections provide an interesting contrast when planted with the brighter shades. Flowers start blooming in June above dark green foliage and continue until frost. All summer, clouds of butterflies find the blossoms irresistible. Coneflowers are a wonderful addition to summer bouquets; after the petals have fallen, the cones are a nice addition to dried arrangements.
Coneflowers belong in every perennial border and cutting garden, in meadows, or planted alongside liatris and butterfly bush in a garden for butterflies and summer color. The brightly colored flowers and the butterflies they attract make them great plants for children to grow.
ZONES: 4–9
BLOOM TIME: June to frost
LIGHT: Full to part sun
HEIGHT: 24–40 inches
INTEREST: Very large rose, pink, or white daisies; butterflies love them