(Hybrid Coneflower)

Almost every species of Echinacea is ornamental and available in the trade for garden use. All are hardy herbaceous perennials and easy to grow. There are nine species, all North American endemics, and in recent years a bevy of wonderful cultivars have been brought to the fore. All are distributed east of the Rocky Mountains, and the endangered species Echinacea tennesseensis only exists in a three county radius in central Tennessee.

Coneflowers are best known for their large,...

(Big Sky™ Coneflower, Hybrid Coneflower)

Coneflowers in the Big Sky™ series have fantastic, sweetly fragrant flowers that come in an array of colors. This hybrid series was created from crosses of the common purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea) and the Ozark coneflower ( Echinacea paradoxa ).

Coneflowers grow best full to partial sun and rich to average soil with good drainage. They are not overly water thirsty, but do check to make sure the soil is never too dry. Deadheading spent flowers keeps plants looking clean...

(Hybrid Coneflower)

Coneflowers in the Meadowbrite™ series have fantastic, lightly fragrant flowers that come in colors not normally associated with this perennial. This hybrid series was created via selected mutant branching or seed crosses by staff at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Both petal and central cone colors are what are unique with the flowers in this series. There is also an unique small-flowering dwarf selection.

Coneflowers grow best full to partial sun and rich to average soil with good drainage. They...

(Topeka Purple Coneflower)

Topeka purple coneflower has vivid fuchsia to hot pink flower petals that surround a bright orange to brown conical center. Its center, or cone, is massively large and its short petals droop downward giving the flowers the appearance of a plump jellyfish. Like most coneflowers, these blooms are frequented by butterflies and bees, and their dry, seed-filled cones are feasted upon by seed-eating birds. Flowers appear from late-spring to midsummer.

Native to the prairies and open woodlands of south-central...

(Blacksamson, Blacksamson Coneflower)

Blacksamson is an herbaceous perennial with a compact, upright habit. It is native from southern Canada to the southern United States and has hairy stems that arise from a basal cluster of hairy, lance-shaped leaves. In midsummer it bears large flowerheads with an orange to brown central disc, or cone, surrounded by pink or purple petals. A rare white flowered cultivar is also in cultivation. Like most coneflowers, these blooms are frequented by butterflies and bees, and their dry, seed-filled cones...

(Smooth Coneflower, Smooth Purple Coneflower)

Smooth coneflower has smooth green leaves and a pale lavender flower in summer. The petals often droop and infrequently may be entirely white; the disk center is dark purple. It is rare in its native range of the piedmont region of the southeastern United States. This herbaceous perennial is an United States federally endangered plant species.

Smooth coneflower enjoys nutrient rich but well drained, acidic soils. Full sun exposure is important for plant health and flowering. It is important that...

(Pale Coneflower)

Pale coneflower is an upright perennial wildflower with daisies that resemble pink or white badminton shuttlecocks. This native of eastern North America is a classic prairie forb that favors open meadowlands. The whole plant is linear and elongated, so it looks best planted among bushier plants and showy ornamental grasses.

The long, loose leaves of this native are green and rough-textured with prominent veins. Flowering occurs in late spring or summer. The interesting daisies have a large...

(Ozark Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower)

An Ozark Mountain native, yellow coneflower boasts large, bright yellow flowerheads and is the only yellow-blooming species of Echinacea . This herbaceous perennial has rosettes or smooth, lance-shaped leaves from which arise many tall stems of flowers. Its sweetly fragrant blooms appear in midsummer and have yellow petals that surround a brown central disk, or cone. If deadheaded, plants may re-bloom until frost. Butterflies and bees frequent its blossoms and small seed-eating birds will...

(Eastern Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower)

Who doesn't love this colorful, easy-to-grow garden perennial? Purple coneflower is a hardy herbaceous wildflower native to the eastern United States. In early to late summer, it bears tall, sturdy stems topped with single large, red-purple, pink or white daisies with prominent conical centers of brown, orange or green. Bloom time may be extended if spent flowers are removed, or deadheaded. There are many desirable purple coneflower cultivars such as the dwarf ‘Kim’s Knee High’ and double-flowered...

(Eastern Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, White Coneflower)

Who doesn't love this colorful, easy-to-grow garden perennial? White purple coneflower, selection 'Alba', is an herbaceous plant that is native to the eastern United States. In early to late summer, long, sturdy stems bear white, daisy flowers with large conical centers of yellow-brown. Bloom time may be extended if their spent flowers are removed, or deadheaded.

A dependable garden staple, purple coneflower self-sows freely but not aggressively. These natives are happiest when planted in sites...