Reliable and easy-to-grow and maintain, purple coneflower bears daisylike flowers in abundance from midsummer to the first fall frost on strong stems from 2 to 4 feet tall. The pink, white, or lavender blooms consist of drooping petals surrounding a raised golden brown cone; they're excellent for cutting and attract birds and butterflies to the garden. Purple coneflower's foliage consists of coarse, arrow-shaped dark green leaves, measuring 4 to 8 inches long. Unsurpassed for summer color display, purple coneflower is a great plant for the middle or back of a flower garden and spreads readily by resowing in a wildflower garden. It tolerates both heat and drought.

3 to 8

Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-drained, sandy-loam soil.

Plant established plants in lean, well-drained soil in spring, spacing plants 18 to 24 inches apart.

Do not fertilize. Apply a protective winter mulch in Zones 3 and 4 after soil freezes. While drought-tolerant, purple coneflower responds well to watering, especially in late summer. Deadhead to promote rebloom or leave seedheads for late-season interest and to attract birds.