Three Echinacea species
These are three Echinacea species, not three colours of the same cultivar. Purple coneflower has broader leaves, pale purple coneflower has slender drooping petals, and narrow leaved coneflower is a prairie species suited to dry ground.
Growing details
| Detail | Purple Coneflower | Pale Purple Coneflower | Narrow Leaved Coneflower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Echinacea purpurea | Echinacea pallida | Echinacea angustifolia |
| Flower colour | Purple | Pale purple | Purple |
| Leaves | Broader, rough textured leaves | Long, narrow leaves with smooth edges | Narrow, hairy leaves with prominent veins |
| Native range | Central and eastern United States | Central United States | Central Canadian and US prairies, including Manitoba |
| Moisture | Prefers moist soil with good drainage | Suited to relatively dry soil once established | Suited to dry prairie ground with good drainage |
| Cold hardiness zone | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mature size | About 3 to 4 ft tall | About 2 to 3 ft tall | About 1 to 2 ft tall |
A closer look
Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflower is the tallest of these three in the usual garden size ranges. It prefers more moisture than the two prairie species, though it adapts to a range of soils. Its broader leaves help distinguish it before the flowers open.
Pale Purple Coneflower
Pale purple coneflower has long, slender petals that hang below the central cone. Its narrow, upright form suits a sunny planting with good drainage. The pale flowers give it a different appearance from the fuller purple coneflower heads.
Narrow Leaved Coneflower
Narrow leaved coneflower grows wild in Manitoba. It is the shortest of these three in the usual garden size ranges and tolerates dry ground once established. Its rough, hairy leaves have prominent veins.