Rudbeckia echinacea purpurea
purple coneflower
E. purpurea is an upright perennial with coarsely hairy, ovate or lance-shaped leaves and solitary flower-heads to 12cm across with slightly reflexed, light purple rays and brown central disk
Other common names
black samsoneastern purple coneflower
see morehedgehog coneflower
purple daisy
purple rudbeckia
Synonyms
Rudbeckia purpureaRudbeckia echinacea purpurea
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Brown Purple | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Echinacea are erect, clump-forming rhizomatous perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and solitary, long-stalked daisies with prominent conical central disks and often drooping ray florets; attractive to butterflies
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C&E North America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, well-drained, humus-rich soil ideally in full sun although they can tolerate some shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 13°C in spring. Propagate by division in spring or autumn although they resent a lot of disturbance. Propagate by root cuttings from late autumn to early winter.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Prairie planting
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back stems as the blooms fade to encourage further flower production
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.