Pale Purple Coneflower

Echinacea pallida

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Echinacea
Species:
Echinacea pallida

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
4-6 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
may, jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
Pink, Purple

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Canada: Ontario

Keystone Species Ranking

Bee Keystone:
★★★★★ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to prairies and open woodlands

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds should be dry stored for 1 to 2 years and then placed into a 60 to 90 day cold, moist stratification at 1 to 3 C. If unable to plant in the fall, store the seed dry in cold storage at 34-36 degrees F. If seeds exhibit physiological dormancy, cold, moist stratification for 28 days at 1 to 2øC (34 to 36øF) may improve germination.

Establishment: Seeds are collected when they are easily removed from the head in August and September. They are dark grey at maturity. Field seed is not damp stratified due to clumping problems during the drilling process. If the seed has not germinated by the first week of May, there has been a problem, ie, seed not planted at the correct depth, blown away, or bad seed lot.

Source: npn.rngr.net