Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

eastern purple coneflower

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Echinacea purpurea

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

3-5 ft tall by 2-3 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink,purple

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Winter dormant. Blooms spring-fall.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Works well in almost any garden with mixed wildflower species. North of Florida, this species is sometimes planted as single-species mass plantings.

Considerations:

The further south you go, the more short-lived this species gets.  Except in extreme north Florida, treat as an annual or at least don't assume that it will be a long-lasting perennial.

Availability:

Big Box Stores, Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

This species is easily grown from seed or by division of existing clumps.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds, Mammals

Attracts many pollinators, especially bees.

Small birds and small mammals consume the seed.

Native Habitats:

Upland glades, openings in upland mixed forests on calcareous soils.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Echinacea is believed by many people to stimulate the immune system

General Comments:

Requires a reliable cold period to persist. In most of Florida it can be treated as an annual in gardens.



Listed as Endangered by the State of Florida.  While this is a common garden plant in the north, its range barely reaches Florida, and it is rare and exists only in a highly specific habitate in the wild.