Pale Purple Coneflower
Echinacea pallida
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © joshklostermann (iNaturalist #67572222)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Echinacea
- Species:
- Echinacea pallida
- USDA Symbol:
- ECPA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Benefits from occasional fire to reduce competition and stimulate flowering.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify in refrigerator for 30-60 days.
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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)