Echinacea pallida

Coneflowers are midwest US natives with a reputation for being short-lived, and this is true as they are naturally fleeting plants. However, they will self-sow when happy and can persist for years in the garden. They are happiest in full sun on rich, well-drained soil. All species are deer and drought resistant. Pollinators adore them.

We love E. pallida for its narrow, drooping pale-pink petals.

Tip: let the dried flower heads remain on the plant through winter. Their winter silhouette is wonderful and the seeds are a favorite among goldfinches.

Zones: 3 to 8

Family: Asteraceae

Type: Perennial

Height: 24 to 36 in

Spread: 12 to 18 in

Exposure: Full sun

Soil Conditions: well-drained, average

Bloom Time: July to September

Bloom Color: Pale Rose

Native Range: Wisconsin to east Kansas, south to Georgia and east Texas; rare east of Mississippi River

Image Credits:

• Oris2012, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons