Ernodea littoralis Golden Creeper

This document provides an overview of the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), detailing its characteristics, planting requirements, and uses. The purple coneflower is a herbaceous plant native to Florida, known for its daisy-like, pink to purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10 and can be planted year-round in zones 7 to 11. The plant is valued for its ornamental features, attracting butterflies, and its use in naturalizing and cut flowers. It has high drought tolerance but poor soil salt tolerance. The document also highlights its potential invasiveness, pest resistance, and the need for periodic division to maintain blooming. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus; Ryan W. Klein, assistant professor, arboriculture; and Gail Hansen, professor, sustainable landscape design; Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.