Narrow-Leaf Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)
[eh-kih-NAY-shah an-gus-tih-FOE-lee-ah]

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming in the Asteraceae Family
Black-Samson Echinacea is a shorter, narrower-leaved native species than the more familiar Echinacea purpurea, found wild on dry prairies and barrens from central Canada south through the central US. It grows just 1 to 2 feet tall with slender, pointed leaves and pale pink to lavender-purple flowers around a distinctive copper-orange to purple-brown center cone. This is the Echinacea species most associated with traditional Native American medicinal use and with commercial echinacea supplements, since its roots are the most historically harvested of the genus.

Pros

  • Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established -- a true dry-prairie native
  • Shorter and more compact than Echinacea purpurea, useful where a lower-growing coneflower is wanted
  • Deer resistant and attracts pollinators
  • The species most associated with echinacea's traditional medicinal use

Cons

  • Shorter bloom display and smaller flowers than purpurea or most modern cultivars
  • Won't tolerate wet or poorly-drained soil
  • Less showy and less widely available than purpurea-derived cultivars
Why Like A true dry-prairie native with real ecological and historical value -- it's the species most tied to Echinacea's traditional medicinal use, and a good choice for a prairie restoration or very well-drained native planting where purpurea might struggle.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 9 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Extended Bloom Time, Formal Garden, Fragrant Flowers, Full Sun, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Thrillers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Winter Interest
Bloom Period June to July
Flower Color Light Pink To Pale Purple
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2024 : 07/02 - 09/08
2023 : 06/21 - 07/08

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!