Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leaf Coneflower)

Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leaf Coneflower) is a compact perennial boasting a profusion of daisy flowers, 3 in. across (7 cm), in early to midsummer and sometimes throughout the rest of the summer. The charming flowers feature pale pink to purple rays drooping from a dome-shaped central orange disk. The cone-shaped flower heads attract bees and butterflies. If they are not removed in the fall, they will be visited by birds that feed on the seeds. The flowers are borne atop stout, upright, hairy, unbranched stems clad with narrow, oblong gray-green leaves. Narrow-leaved Coneflower grows from a fragile but very deep taproot. It is not rhizomatous, so the plant does not spread vegetatively. Drought, heat, humidity, and poor soil tolerant, Narrow-leaf Coneflower is easy to grow and is a suitable addition to a prairie garden and attractive in flower arrangements.

• Grows up to 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm) and 10-18 in. wide (25-45 cm). May self-seed in the garden.
• Performs best in full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates high levels of soil alkalinity, and is more drought tolerant than Echinacea pallida and E. purpurea.
• Perfect choice for beds and borders, naturalized areas, meadows, prairies, and wildflower gardens. Excellent as cut or dried flowers.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for Japanese beetle and leaf spot. Deer resistant.
• Remove spent flowers for a neat appearance.
• Native to the eastern United States.