Purple Coneflower
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Echinacea purpurea,
Purple Coneflower
Perennial native, 2-4 ft tall, spectacular orange-tipped cone on deep purple rays appears June-September of second year. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Easily grown from seed with cold moist stratification (60 days, 41 deg F) or sown directly in fall. Poor to moderately rich, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant, full sun to partial shade. Harvest root 3-4 yrs in fall, herb harvested in 1st-3rd yrs.
Herb and root are used to strengthen immune response during acute illness.