Stem leaves are generally alternate, but may be sub-opposite to opposite, especially on more robust plants. Stems bear single terminal flowerheads, with that of the main stem typically the largest. Robust plants produce axillary branches at mid-stem that may be 1½ feet long and overtop the main stem. Stems taper from a ¼-inch-diameter base, before flaring to the receptacle in support of the flowerhead. The pale-green, stout, erect stems to 3+ feet tall are typically hirsute, uncommonly partially or totally glabrous. Photo 2: This 4-year-old (?) plant has 2 dormant “root stubs” (with dead stems still attached), a stub bearing leaves only (with fan-like base) and 3 stubs (with round bases) bearing leaves and a central stem. Growth that does not include a stem is flattened and fan-like and produces basal leaves growth that includes a stem is terete and reproductive, ultimately bearing one or more terminal heads. The root stubs have actively growing crowns with new growth, as well as dormant stems from previous growing seasons. Mature plants develop a central knobby rootstock comprising a clump of shallow “root stubs” supported by fleshy, whitish roots.
Photo 1: Showy terminal flowerheads occur singly on main stems and axillary branches. Other common names include Eastern Purple Coneflower and Broad-Leaved Purple Coneflower.
Habitat preference is sunny to partially sunny sites on moist, well drained soils of prairies, open woodlands and borders, and rights-of-way.
In Arkansas, plants grow statewide except for the lowlands of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and West Gulf Coastal Plain. In the US, the species is common in Arkansas, Missouri and Indiana with more limited occurrence in surrounding states and from Alabama into New England. The specific epithet is Latin for “purple,” the color of the ray florets. The genus name is derived from a Greek word for “hedgehog” in reference to the spiny bracts that share the receptacle with the ray and disk florets. Make sure that you don’t let these pests cause damage to your plant.Purple Coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea) of the Sunflower or Composite (Asteraceae) family is an erect herbaceous perennial with large, showy, terminal flowerheads. You must also make sure that the plant is protected from leaf hoppers and aphids. Once the flowers have dried out, you can collect seeds that are present in ripened conical seed head. Also, remove the spent flowers and foliage. The blooms start appearing during summer, which is why pruning should be done before the bloom season starts. These plants can grow up to a height of 3 to 4 feet, so make sure that you prune them from time to time. Once they are well-established, they can survive with very little water also. During the first bloom season, water them adequately. Even if you don’t amend the soil by adding fertilizer, these will grow. These plants are quite hardy, and grow well in ordinary garden soil, but ideally the pH of the soil should range between 5.5 to 7. If you are planting them in flower beds, then make sure that you plant them at least 20 inches apart. If you are propagating it through division, that is dividing its clumps or roots, then the best time to do it would be during the spring or fall. Plant them outdoors after 9 to 10 weeks in early fall. If you are sowing the seeds indoors, make sure that the room temperature is between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The process of seed germination will start within 3 to 4 weeks. The soil should be well-drained, and the seeds must be sown at a depth of half an inch. Make sure that you select an appropriate planting site. If you are sowing it outdoors, then the best time to do it is during the late spring or summer.
You can propagate it by sowing the seeds.
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