Echinacea pallida, commonly known as Pale Purple Coneflower, is a native perennial wildflower found in prairies, open woodlands, and glades throughout Illinois. It thrives in full sun and prefers dry to medium, well-drained soils, making it well-suited to prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and low-maintenance landscapes.
This upright plant typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is distinguished by its drooping, pale pink to lavender petals that surround a spiny, orange-brown central cone. The flowers bloom in early to mid-summer and provide an important nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while the seed heads are enjoyed by finches and other seed-eating birds in fall and winter. Its narrow, rough-textured leaves also contribute to its easily recognizable appearance.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Echinacea pallida is a striking and durable wildflower that offers seasonal beauty and ecological value. It is drought-tolerant, resilient once established, and pairs well with other prairie natives such as Blazingstars, Little Bluestem, and Butterfly Weed in vibrant, wildlife-friendly plantings.
Echinacea pallida, commonly known as Pale Purple Coneflower, is a native perennial wildflower found in prairies, open woodlands, and glades throughout Illinois. It thrives in full sun and prefers dry to medium, well-drained soils, making it well-suited to prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and low-maintenance landscapes.
This upright plant typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is distinguished by its drooping, pale pink to lavender petals that surround a spiny, orange-brown central cone. The flowers bloom in early to mid-summer and provide an important nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while the seed heads are enjoyed by finches and other seed-eating birds in fall and winter. Its narrow, rough-textured leaves also contribute to its easily recognizable appearance.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Echinacea pallida is a striking and durable wildflower that offers seasonal beauty and ecological value. It is drought-tolerant, resilient once established, and pairs well with other prairie natives such as Blazingstars, Little Bluestem, and Butterfly Weed in vibrant, wildlife-friendly plantings.
Bloom: early summer
Habitats: abandoned fields; limestone glades; mesic to dry black soil prairies; Oak savannas; open areas along railroads; openings in dry rocky woods
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: mesic to dry
Plant type (height): forb (up to 3 feet)
Requirements: full sun
Soil: clay; loam; rocky material
