Rain Garden Plants: Purple Coneflower

Long-lasting flowers have drooping lavender rays surrounding a dome-shaped, spiny disk. Leaves are rough and ovate shaped with serrated margins. Stem is hairy. Nectar source for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Seed heads provide food for goldfinches. In the spring, cut back completely before new growth begins.

Height: 24 to 36 inches
Bloom color: Reddish purple
Bloom time: July to August
Hardiness zone: 3 to 9
Salt tolerance: N/A
Spreading habit: Self-seeds

Site Conditions

Sun: Sun/partial shade
Soil: Clay/rocky; moist to dry
Hydrologic zones: Dry

Source

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Prepared by Jessica Chou, Jodi Sulpizio, and Constance Schmotzer. All images: Jodi Sulpizio, Penn State Extension.