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: Moderate
• 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. 
Finalized by Jodi Sulpizio

For a printable PDF version of this article, contact Jodi Sulpizio at jrb143@psu.edu.