Description
Echinacea is renowned for both its attractive looks and medicinal uses. Its beautiful, daisy-like flowers can be used cut or dried. Attractive to both birds (such as goldfinches) and butterflies, leaving the seed heads in winter provides a food source to migrating birds. This also allows for the plant to self-seed, creating a larger, fuller patch. If things become too crowded, you can divide the plant every four years or so. Purple coneflower is relatively adaptable, being drought, clay, dry soil and shallow/rocky soil tolerant. Medicinally it is said to boost the immune system and alleviate cold symptoms. The leaves and seeds can be dried and made into a tea. Echinacea is the larval host for the Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly (pictured above).
