coneflowers

Coneflowers are herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the genus Echinacea, native to North America. The most commonly cultivated species are Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), E. angustifolia (narrow-leaved coneflower), and E. pallida (pale purple coneflower). They are widely grown as ornamental perennials and have a long history of use in traditional herbal remedies and in modern dietary supplements.

Description: Coneflowers have upright stems that rise from a clump of coarse, rough leaves. The inflorescence features a prominent, cone-shaped central disk of small florets, surrounded by one to several overlapping rows of larger ray florets that are typically pink to purple, though white or orange forms exist. Plants range from about 2 to 5 feet tall depending on species and cultivar.

Habitat and cultivation: Native to prairies and open woods, coneflowers prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established and bloom in mid to late summer, sometimes lasting into autumn. They can be propagated by seed or by division; division is often easiest in spring or fall. In gardens, they benefit from deadheading or cutting back after flowering to encourage a second flush of blooms. They are hardy in USDA zones 3–9 and show good resistance to heat but may suffer from powdery mildew or leaf spots in damp conditions.

Ecology and uses: Coneflowers attract pollinators including bees and butterflies, and seedheads provide food for birds in winter. They are valued for borders, wildflower plantings, and medicinal plant collections. Safety and efficacy of commercial echinacea products are topics of ongoing research.