As we welcome the summer season in Chicago, Echinacea purpurea or commonly called Purple Coneflower stands out as a fantastic native plant to add to your rooftop container garden or landscape. Known for its striking, vibrant flowers blooming from July through September this hardy perennial is not only beautiful but also incredibly beneficial for local ecosystems.

Why We Love Coneflowers

We love Echinacea purpurea for its ability to bring both beauty and ecological value to Chicago gardens. With its bold, upright form and long-lasting purple blooms, this native perennial offers reliable color from midsummer into fall. It thrives in full sun and tough urban conditions—making it a go-to for rooftop gardens, city parkways, and pollinator-friendly beds. The vibrant flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, and if you leave the seed heads standing, you’ll likely spot goldfinches enjoying them well into winter. More than just a pretty face, coneflower plays a meaningful role in creating resilient, biodiverse landscapes that thrive in our local climate.

Top Benefits of Coneflower

Long Bloom Time & Bright color selections
From early summer well into fall, coneflowers keep your garden vibrant when many other flowers have faded. Native Purple coneflower ranges in color from pink to purple but other hybrids and cultivar varieties include white, red, salmon, yellow, orange and vibrant pinks.

Pollinator Magnet
Echinacea purpurea is a true pollinator magnet—its vibrant, daisy-like blooms offer an open and easily accessible landing pad, making it a favorite among bees, butterflies, and even the occasional hummingbird. The central cone is rich in nectar and pollen, providing essential fuel during the busy summer months when pollinators are at their most active. Unlike some hybridized flowers that sacrifice function for form, native coneflowers retain all the traits that make them ecologically valuable: long bloom periods, sturdy structure for foraging insects, and nutrient-rich resources. Whether planted in clusters or tucked into mixed perennial beds, Echinacea purpurea becomes a lively hub of activity and an essential component of any pollinator-friendly garden in the Chicago region.

Low Maintenance & Hardy
Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9. That means it can withstand winter temperatures as low as -40°F, making it an excellent choice for gardens in the Chicago area, which falls within Zones 5a to 6a depending on proximity to Lake Michigan. It's a tough native perennial that not only survives harsh winters but also thrives in hot, dry summers—perfect for urban landscapes, prairie-style gardens, and rooftop plantings in the Midwest.

Medicinal Characteristics
Echinacea purpurea is widely valued for its medicinal properties, particularly in supporting the immune system. Often used to prevent or shorten the duration of colds and respiratory infections, it’s believed to stimulate white blood cell activity when taken at the onset of symptoms. The plant also contains compounds like caffeic acid derivatives, which have anti-inflammatory effects and can help reduce swelling and irritation. Topically, echinacea has been used to promote wound healing and soothe insect bites or minor skin issues. Traditionally, Native American tribes also relied on echinacea as a poultice or chew to treat snake bites, sore throats, and infections, pointing to its natural antimicrobial potential.

Winter Interest
Even after its vibrant blooms fade, Echinacea purpurea continues to shine through the colder months. The sturdy, dark seed heads stand tall above dormant foliage, adding striking visual texture and structure to winter gardens. Their sculptural silhouettes catch frost and snow beautifully, creating moments of quiet beauty when the garden is otherwise at rest. Beyond aesthetics, these seed heads are also a vital food source for overwintering birds, especially goldfinches, who rely on them for nourishment. By leaving coneflowers standing through fall and winter, you’re not only adding interest to your landscape—you’re supporting urban wildlife and embracing the natural rhythm of the seasons.

How to select the best Coneflower variety for your Native Garden:

When looking for native-friendly or pollinator-safe Echinacea cultivars in expanded colors, it’s important to choose varieties that still retain the traits bees, butterflies, and birds depend on—open, nectar-rich centers, accessible pollen, and viable seed heads for birds. Many newer cultivars have been bred for unique colors and double blooms, but not all are created equal when it comes to ecological value. Here's a list of pollinator-friendly cultivars in non-traditional colors that still perform well in native or pollinator gardens:

Orange / Red

‘Tiki Torch’ – Bright orange with a strong central cone; single blooms and nectar-rich.
‘Hot Papaya’ – A double-flowered red-orange cultivar; attractive but less accessible to pollinators—use sparingly.
‘Sombrero Adobe Orange’ – Compact, vibrant, with a strong single bloom; better for pollinators than doubles.

Yellow / Golden

‘Yellow Coneflower’ (Echinacea paradoxa) – A true native species with yellow petals; excellent for pollinators.
‘Sunrise’ (E. purpurea x paradoxa) – Pale yellow hybrid; good nectar source.
‘Sombrero Lemon Yellow’ – Single blooms with good cone access; pollinator-friendly.

White

‘White Swan’ (E. purpurea) – Classic white cultivar with excellent wildlife value; very attractive to bees.
‘PowWow White’ – Compact, hardy, long bloom period; good nectar plant.

Pink / Coral / Salmon

‘Pica Bella’ – Vibrant pink cultivar close to the native form; known to be excellent for pollinators.
‘Fatal Attraction’ – Magenta-pink with strong stems and open centers; still widely visited by pollinators.
‘Ruby Star’ – Deep rose-pink with a flat landing pad and good nectar production.

Avoid These (If Pollinator Value Is Key)

Double or pompom-style blooms (like 'Razzmatazz' or 'Pink Double Delight') often have reduced nectar access and poor seed production.
Cultivars with very compact, overbred forms may have compromised ecological function.

Tips for Pollinator-Safe Planting:

Choose single-flowered types with exposed central cones.
Mix cultivars with true native species like Echinacea purpurea, E. pallida, or E. paradoxa.
Avoid excessive hybridization if you're aiming for ecological function over ornamental novelty.

Caring for your Echinacea:

Sunlight: Plant in full sun for best results.Watering:
Moderate watering is necessary, especially during dry spells. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant.
Soil: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil, but is adaptable to different soil conditions.

Add Coneflower to your garden for a splash of color and a boost to your local wildlife. It's a beautiful and eco-friendly choice that supports biodiversity while enhancing your landscape!