Echinacea purpurea alba*

Echinacea purpurea, commonly called Purple Coneflower, is a coarse, rough-hairy, herbaceous perennial that is native to moist prairies, meadows and open woods of the central to southeastern United States (Ohio to Michigan to Iowa south to Louisiana and Georgia). It typically grows to 2-4' tall. Showy daisy-like purple coneflowers (to 5" diameter) bloom throughout summer atop stiff stems clad with coarse, ovate to broad-lanceolate, dark green leaves. Good fresh cut or dried flower. The dead flower stems will remain erect well into the winter, and if flower heads are not removed, the blackened cones may be visited by goldfinches or other birds that feed on the seeds.

'White Swan' has large, daisy-like flowers with slightly drooping, white petals (ray flowers) and large, coppery-orange (often with a green tinge) central cones. Long summer bloom period. Best flower display is late June to late July, with sporadic continued bloom into September. Flowers grow on rigid stems to 3' tall. Dark green leaves are lance-shaped and coarsely-toothed.

Excellent, long-blooming flower for massing in the border, meadow, native plant garden, naturalized area, wildflower garden or part shade area of woodland garden. Often massed with black-eyed Susans (rudbeckias).

Information adapted from: Missouri Botanical Garden