prairie wildflower

Narrow-leaved purple coneflower

Echinacea angustifolia

Also known as Black Samson, Black Samson Echinacea, Narrow-leaf Coneflower, narrowleaf purple coneflower

Native to the Great Plains, the Rockies, and the Midwest and southern Canada

Western Minnesota to Saskatchewan and Montana, south to Texas and New Mexico

Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Dry Moisture preference
Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom Apr–Jul Flowering time
Height up to 28 in to 71 cm
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A prairie wildflower for full sun to part shade and lean, dry soil. Its pink and purple flowers peak in May. At up to 28 in, it suits meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The Narrow-leaved purple coneflower's pink and purple flowers bloom April to July, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees and butterflies.

Narrow-leaved purple coneflower blooms pink & purpleFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Western Honey Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee +14 more
Tricolored Bumble Bee, Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee, Red-belted Bumble Bee, Black-and-gold Bumble Bee, Half-black Bumble Bee, Nevada Bumble Bee, Golden Sweat Bee, Dark-veined Longhorn Bee, Southern Plains Bumble Bee, Cresson's Mining Bee, Big-cheeked Angled-Mason, Tickseed Longhorn Bee, Pseudopanurgus albitarsis, Melissodes subillata
Butterflies Monarch

also Red Admiral, Pearl Crescent, Common Buckeye +12 more
Queen, Viceroy, Clouded Sulphur, Common Wood-Nymph, Tawny-edged Skipper, Arogos Skipper, Anatrytone logan lagus, Atrytone delaware, Ottoe Skipper, Polites origenes, Cynthia cardui, Speyeria idalia
Flower flies Long-tailed Aphideater also grasshopper bee fly

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Great Plains, the Rockies, and the Midwest and southern CanadaUnited States (13): CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, WY. Canada (2): MB, SK. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Western Minnesota to Saskatchewan and Montana, south to Texas and New MexicoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 3–9 · Canadian 3–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Clay Loam, Medium Loam, Sandy Loam, Clay, SandyThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Water use: LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.

Growth & form

Height: up to 28 in (to 71 cm)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~2 ft (0.5 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Apr–JulWhen it flowers.
Flower color: Pink, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: Achene; ripens Aug–OctThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.