Coneflowers

Coneflowers are one of the summer’s many showy spectacles in the garden.  There are nine species native to the central and eastern United States, four of which can be found growing in the wild in our area.  Additional hybrids, available for sale in local garden centers, have been developed for their appearance and variety of colors.

Coneflowers are perennials, growing from two to four feet in height.  Blooming from midsummer to the first frost, they like full sun and well-drained soils.  They are drought tolerant and do particularly well in poor soil conditions provided they get a small amount of water every few days.

Purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, is rare in naturally occurring habitat in northeastern Illinois: yet  it is one of the most popular species in backyard gardens.  Pale purple coneflower, Echinacea pallida, is another favorite in backyard gardens and is commonly used in local prairie restorations. 

Yellow coneflower, Ratibida pinnata, also called gray-headed coneflower, has flowers on slim, tall spikes that can be seen waving in any slight breeze.  It is heavily used in prairie restorations due to its tendency to germinate the first year after seeds are planted.  Rough coneflower, Rudbeckia grandiflora, is very rare and found only in a few patches in northeastern Illinois, all in DuPage County.

Coneflowers have a composite flowerhead with 200-300 rose-colored florets surrounded by eight to twenty-one ray florets in colors ranging from dark purple to pale pink to yellow or white.  Leaves are hairy with a rough texture.  Coneflowers spread by self-seeding, dropping seeds within a few feet of each plant as they bend and sway in the wind.  The mother plant is a perennial and will continue to return each year.

Several dozen species of butterflies, bees, wasps, beetles, and flies feed off the nectar.  Soldier beetles appear late in the season, feeding on insect eggs and larvae deposited on the plants by other insects.  Seeds are also a favorite food item for goldfinch, cardinal, and blue jay.  Seed heads left through the winter will continue to feed the area birds until spring.

Consider adding some coneflowers to your backyard gardens and watch for the butterflies and birds that will soon visit.