Echinacea purpurea, aka Purple Coneflower, is a perennial herb you can use all parts of: roots, leaves, and flowers. It grows 3’ – 4’ high and can be found in clearings, open woods, and prairies. Zone 3 – 8.
In my gardens, it was originally planted in the first herb garden in 1992. It did not survive long. It was reintroduced in 2004 but did not survive long again. That garden had heavy clay soil and apparently Echinacea does not like that.
It was given its own bed in the New Herb garden in 2016 and took off like wildfire, even though the soil was very poor. It was worn out sandy loam, very different than the imported clay around the house.
Flowers: cone shaped flowerheads with swept back rays, purple in wild species with a coppery center, daisy like, up to 5” dia., flowers June – October, solitary on a long stalk
Leaves: ovate to broad lanceolate, dark green, coarsely toothed leaves, alternate on stiff hairy stems, basal leaves stalked
Cultivation: full sun but will tolerate partial shade, prefers sandy well drained soil that’s medium dry. Drought tolerant. Susceptible to Japanese beetles.
Plant 1.5’ apart, divide every 4th year, can take root cuttings in late winter when dormant. Prefers winter protection. Roots harvested in autumn and dried for decoctions, infusions, liquid extracts, powders, and tinctures.
Will re-bloom if deadheaded.
I’ve dehydrated the leaves and flower rays to feed to the layers over the winter.
There are many medical uses for this plant, but I’ve not yet tried any.
References:
Taylor’s Perennials page 198
Field Guide to Herbs page 308
Right Plant, Right Place page 218
HP Perennials pages 11, 84
Encyclopedia of Herbs pages 276 - 277
Fresh Eggs Daily - Herbs for Hens™: Echinacea