Echinacea pallida ‘Hula Dancer’ (Pale Purple Coneflower)

Echinacea pallida ‘Hula Dancer’ (Pale Purple Coneflower) is a clump-forming perennial boasting a profusion of daisy-like flowers adorned with narrow, pink-flushed white petals gracefully hanging from a prominent reddish-brown central cone. Blooming from early to midsummer, with sporadic blooms into fall, the lightly fragrant blossoms are borne on upright, sturdy stems above the foliage of strap-like, lance-shaped green leaves. This attractive perennial is worthy of a place in pollinator gardens, perennial borders, prairies, or wildflower gardens.

• Grows up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). Will freely self-seeds if some seed heads are left in place.
• Thrives in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerant to drought, heat, and humidity.
• Perfect choice for beds and borders, prairies and meadows, wildflower gardens, or cottage gardens.
• Excellent as cut flowers. If flower heads are not removed in the fall, the blackened cones will be visited by birds that feed on the seeds.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, but deer resistant.
• Cut back stems as the blooms fade which may promote new blooms. Flowers may be kept on the plant for winter interest.
• Propagate by division in spring or fall or by root cuttings from late fall to early winter.
• Echinacea pallida species is native to North America, primarily in the southeastern and central US where it grows happily in well-drained prairies and grasslands.

Echinacea, commonly called Coneflower, has been cultivated as a hardy and showy perennial since the 1700s, both in North America and Europe. Truly an American plant, native to the central and eastern part of the country, it was used by the early Native Americans to cure wounds and infections. A great prairie flower, its bright and large blossoms made a successful transition to the backyard. Traditionally purple, with ray flowers that droop downward off the central cone, Coneflowers today enjoy a rich variety of colors and flower shapes with ray florets held horizontal, single, or even doubled, giving them the look of Chrysanthemum. Easily grown from seed, they thrive on neglect.