Purple Coneflower

Excellent perennial flowering plant for Texas gardens. The purple coneflower is drought tolerant and native to the Midwest and southeastern United States. The daisy-shaped flowers are individually arranged on sturdy, elongated stems with soft lavender or purple petals and a coned center. Long-blooming perennials attract bees and butterflies and will flower all summer with little attention. Works well cut flower arrangements.

May be started from seeds or transplanted from containers. Prefers full sun but tolerates light shade. Fall is the best time to plant purple coneflower because they establish more easily in cooler weather. Place in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. The plants require supplemental water once or twice per week after established. Fertilize at planting time with a timed-released product. Propagation from root cuttings is reliable if performed in the fall.

Japanese beetles sometimes eat both flowers and leaves, though rarely serious

• Super spreader. Flower is reported to have medical uses, but sometimes causes allergic reactions if ingested.