Mt Cuba Center
Morning sunrise illuminates the round garden at Mt. Cuba Center.
Explore the Gardens Virtual Tour Virtual Tour
HOURS

Thanks for a great year! Mt. Cuba Center is closed for general admission for the season and will reopen on April 3, 2024.

An ecological gardening certificate student completes a Native Plants of Fall exam in Mt. Cuba Center's naturalistic gardens.
Ecological Gardening Certificate Learn More Learn More
Program Guide

Classes offered year-round. Learn to garden in harmony with nature, take an art or wellness class, and more!

Carex barrattii
Latest Trial: Carex for the Mid-Atlantic Region Learn More Learn More
Trial Garden

Mt. Cuba Center evaluates native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value.

Mt. Cuba Center's natural lands pictured at sunset.
Protecting Natural Lands Learn More Learn More
Ecological Land Management

Mt. Cuba conserves and stewards more than 1,000 acres including meadows, forests, streams and riparian corridors.

Two guests walk down the West Slope path in spring at Mt. Cuba Center.
Gift a Membership Gift Guide Gift Guide
MEMBERSHIP

Enjoy unlimited general admission, member discounts, guest passes, and more!

close
Mt Cuba Center
Back to list

Echinacea purpurea

Native Plants

Purple Coneflower

2 Photos


Summary

Imagine your surprise seeing a bright yellow finch breakfasting on your purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). This easy to grow perennial is suited for naturalizing in masses as well as the perennial border. Each stalk bears a spiny, orange center surrounded by showy, drooping ray petals that are typically purplish pink. Numerous cultivars are available in a range of colors and heights. Purple coneflower grows 2-4’ tall and performs best in full sun. It tolerates filtered shade but will produce fewer flowers. Purple coneflower grows well in a wide range of soil types as long as they are well drained. It combines well with little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virginicus), greater tickseed (Coreopsis major), Mohr’s rosinweed (Silphium mohrii), and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Zones 3-8. 


More Details

  • Plant Type
    perennial 
  • Sun/Shade Conditions
    filtered-shade-to-full-sun 
  • Foliage Character
    deciduous 
  • Soil Moisture
    average-to-dry 
  • Flowering Period
    mid-summer
  • Soil PH
    adaptable 
  • Flower Color
    purple 
  • Summer Foliage Color
    green 
  • Fall Foliage Color
    green 
  • Fruit/Seed Color
    brown