The long flower stems, fragrance, and long-lasting flowers make this an ideal plant for cut flowers. Twenty-five flowers per plant is not unusual in cultivation. Outer ray flowers vary considerably from the deep rose-purple of Purple Coneflower (E. purpurea) to a much paler shade. Center flowers (disk flowers) are brown. This coneflower tolerates much drier conditions than Purple Coneflower and does best in full sun; it also blooms two to four weeks earlier. One of Missouri's best bee plants.
Harvest seed in August. Sow by February for good germination. It can germinate without a stratification period, but at least a couple of weeks with a cold, moist period will increase germination dramatically.
Uses: bees, butterflies, drought tolerant, cut flowersBloom time: JuneHeight: 26 to 36 inchesSpace: 16 to 20 inchesSun: Full sun to light shadeMoisture: Dry to average (too much pampering may cause the plant to flop over)
