A Native Perennial That Offers Drought-Tough Summer Color
A central Iowa garden staple, Echinacea (Coneflower) delivers bold, daisy-like blooms from summer into fall. This native prairie perennial flower thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, stands up to drought, and draws butterflies, bees, and late-season songbirds (leave seedheads for finches and winter interest).
Why Iowa Gardeners Choose Echinacea
- Pollinator magnet; supports bees, butterflies, and other beneficials
- Low water once established; handles heat and poor soils
- Often deer resistant and long-lived
- Excellent cut flowers; tidy clumps fit beds, borders, and prairie-style plantings
Echinacea Planting & Spacing Instructions
- Best time to plant: Spring or fall
- Soil: Well-drained; avoid soggy spots and heavy fertilizing
- Spacing/size: Space 18–24″ apart; most reach 18–48″ tall and 18–24″ wide
- Hardiness: Typically USDA Zones 3–9 (varies by cultivar)
Echinacea Care Made Simple
- Water: Keep evenly moist the first season; then water deeply during long dry spells
- Grooming: Deadhead to prolong bloom, or leave some seedheads for birds
- Maintenance: Divide or replant only if crowded; too much fertilizer = floppy growth
- Health: Good airflow helps prevent foliar issues
These Plants Pair Well with Echinacea (Coneflower)
Pair with black-eyed Susan, coreopsis, salvia, yarrow, and ornamental grasses for a durable, pollinator-rich, high-sun display.
Get Coneflowers and Other Perennials Plants at Holub Greenhouses
Come to Holub Greenhouses in Ames to get locally selected Echinacea matched to the climates of central Iowa gardens. Our perennial plant experts will help you pick flower colors and heights for continuous bloom from summer through fall.