perennial · design plant record

Echinacea purpurea

Purple coneflower

A taller summer-flowering layer with seed heads that can remain after bloom. Use species or cultivar dimensions, not flower colour alone, to place it.

Height at maturity

0.91–1.22 m (3–4 ft)

Spread at maturity

0.3–0.61 m (1–2 ft)

Light

Sun / Part shade

Moisture

Drier soil after establishment / Moist, draining soil

Source-reported USDA zones

3–8 · verify subzone and cultivar

Principal seasonal role

Summer, Autumn

Fit it to the site

Draining soil, preferably moist loam; tolerates occasional dryness after establishment.

Do not place the taller species where it blocks a low view. Cultivars vary; a dwarf selection is a different spacing decision.

Keep the care in the decision

Retain some heads for seed interest if appropriate. Check distorted growth or decline rather than assuming every symptom is drought; the source identifies aster yellows among possible problems.

Origin & safety checks

Central and eastern United States; verify native range locally.

This is ornamental design guidance, not medicinal or edible-use advice. Toxicity not assessed here.

Check current invasive restrictions with your local plant-health or extension authority. For pets, use the exact botanical name in a veterinary toxicity reference; for potential ingestion or exposure, get appropriate professional advice rather than relying on a design guide.