Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee Coneflower)

Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee Coneflower) is a charming coneflower boasting slightly upturned, rose-purple petals surrounding spiny, coppery center disks with a green tinge. Blooming profusely from early to late summer, the delicate blossoms sit atop rigid stems above the foliage of dark green, linear leaves. Native to the U.S., this wonderful herbaceous perennial makes an excellent border plant, for both the perennial plant border or a border planted with annuals and other summer-flowering bulbous, cormous, or tuberous plants. It looks great in wildflower meadows or on the edges of lightly shaded woodlands. The Tennessee Coneflower was once a federally listed endangered plant species and its recovery has been aided by the purchase of habitat by the Nature Conservancy and the State of Tennessee.

• Grows in clumps up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
• Thrives in full sun to part shade in average, moist, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
• Perfect choice for beds and borders, prairies and meadows, wildflower gardens, or cottage gardens. 
• Since this Echinacea is not as vigorous as most other coneflowers nor does it spread as fast, plant it in good size groupings for better visual impact. Avoid mixing it with other Echinacea to prevent them from crowding it out.
• 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 and other pollinators, but deer resistant.
• Propagate by seed.
• Native to Tennessee.