Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea 'PowWow Wild Berry'

Asteraceae

• Full sun (6+ hours), tolerates part sun
• 18-24" tall x 12-16" wide
• Drought Tolerant: Yes
• Evergreen: No
• Flower Color: Deep rose-purple to magenta, blooms late spring through summer
• Wildlife Benefits: Attracts butterflies and bees; goldfinches feed on seeds; deer resistant

Echinacea purpurea 'PowWow Wild Berry' is a compact, upright native perennial adapted to survive hot, windy conditions typical of prairie environments. This cultivar thrives in full sun but will tolerate light shade, though flowering is best with at least six hours of direct sun. The plant grows best in light, loamy soils but is adaptable to most well-drained soil types. Once established, it develops deep taproots that make it exceptionally drought tolerant and able to withstand heat, humidity, and poor soils. 'PowWow Wild Berry' prefers average to dry soil conditions and will tolerate drought better than excess moisture. Well-drained soil is critical for successful overwintering.

The flowers of 'PowWow Wild Berry' are spectacular, featuring large 3-4 inch blooms with brilliant deep rose-purple to magenta petals that retain their vivid color throughout the blooming period without fading. The downward-arching, overlapping ray petals circle a prominent orange-brown center cone, creating the classic coneflower appearance. This 2010 All-America Selections winner produces more flowers per plant than other seed-grown Echinacea, thanks to its superior basal branching habit. Blooming begins in late spring and continues through late summer, with occasional sporadic bloom until frost. The narrow-ovate leaves are medium green and provide a clean backdrop for the profuse flowers. The plant has a naturally compact habit that doesn't require staking, with sturdy, well-branched stems.

This native perennial provides exceptional value for pollinators, with butterflies and bees heavily visiting the nectar-rich flowers throughout summer. The seed heads remain erect well into winter, providing architectural interest and serving as a critical food source for goldfinches and other seed-eating birds. Historically, Native Americans used Echinacea to treat wounds and infections, and the plant continues to be valued for medicinal properties. The plant is deer and rabbit resistant, ensuring reliable performance in gardens frequented by wildlife. 'PowWow Wild Berry' thrives on neglect and requires no deadheading to maintain continuous bloom, though removing spent flowers will tidy the appearance.

'PowWow Wild Berry' works beautifully in native plant gardens, prairie restorations, and pollinator gardens. The compact size makes it perfect for small gardens, containers, and front-of-border placements. Use in mixed perennial borders, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas. The flowers are excellent for cutting and hold well in fresh arrangements. Pair with other native prairie plants like Rudbeckia, ornamental grasses, and Asclepias species. Combine with Agastache, Coreopsis, and Salvia for a continuous succession of summer bloom. Mass plantings create impressive drifts of color that attract clouds of butterflies. Allow some seed heads to remain standing through winter to feed birds and add winter interest to the landscape.