Echinacea purpurea (Eastern Purple Coneflower)

From GAIB: Water: Low
Exposure: Sun
Flower Color: Lavender-Purple
Flower Season: Mid to Late Summer
Attracts: Insects, Butterflies, Birds
Description: The Purple Coneflower is a long-admired herbaceous perennial known for more than just its pretty flowers and attrac- tive foliage. It has incredible medicinal properties which were first discovered and utilized by the Native Americans. In modern day,
it is used to make a popular tea that supports the immune system, among many other uses. Its native habitat ranges throughout most of the Eastern and Central United States, as it tends to grow in rocky, moist prairies, meadows and open woodlands. Purple, drooping ray florets dance atop stiff, coarse stems throughout the summer months, typically from June to August. Its characteristic spiny and brownish central disk inspires its Latin name, Echinacea, which is rooted in the Greek word for hedgehog, echinos.
Care: The Purple Coneflower is a low-maintenance perennial
that grows easily in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil. Its adaptable nature enables it to grow in full sun to partial shade,
but it thrives best in full sun. Furthermore, it is tolerant of drought, heat and humidity. Divide clumps about every 4 years to prevent overcrowding. Plants usually rebloom without deadheading; however, prompt removal of spent flowers improves its general appearance. Freely self-seeds, if seed heads are left in place.
Fun Fact: The dead flower stems will remain erect well into the winter, and if flower heads are not removed, the blackened cones may be visited by goldfinches or other birds that feed on the seeds.