Smooth Purple Coneflower is a native wildflower in the aster family found in the Piedmont of NC, SC, VA and GA growing in disturbed areas as along roadways and areas cleared by fire. This echinacea looks similar to its relative Echinacea purpura but the ray flowers droop down further and may be fewer in number. This plant will grow up to 5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide, blooms during the summer and attracts pollinators and songbirds, especially finches who love the seeds. It will spread by rhizomes and seeds. " Echinacea" is derived from the Greek word echinos which means sea-urchin or hedgehog, referring to the pointy cone found in the center of flowers in this genus. Echinacea laevigata is a federally listed endangered species found in the Piedmont region of the United States. This is an adaptable plant that is easy to grow. It prefers full sun but tolerates part shade. Plant in average medium to dry well-drained soils and keep moist until established. It prefers neutral to alkaline soils rich in calcium and magnesium. Once established it is drought, heat, humidity and poor soil tolerant. Deadheading will promote more blooms but be sure to leave some for the birds and reseeding. Use this plant in the native pollinator garden, in groups or as a middle to back-of-the-border plant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants are relatively pest resistant but Japanese beetle and leaf spot are occasional problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Basal leaf blades are 4 - 20 inches long and 1 - 2.5 inches wide. The upper surface is slightly rough with stiff hairs and the undersides are smooth. The margins have small teeth, especially near the tip. Stem leaves are similar but smaller, alternately and widely spaced up the stem.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Blooms from May to Aug. with narrow purple or light pink ray flowers that droop down and are about 4" long. The disk flowers in the center rise in a cone shape and are dark purple.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruit is a tan, dry, 4-sided achene about 0.2 inch long, banded, and usually hairless. They are formed by the center disc flowers
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
The petioles are winged and purple-tinged.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Pennsylvania to SE. U.S.A., NC
Distribution
NC, SC, VA GA
Wildlife value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. The flower is visited by honey and native bees for its nectar and birds in the winter if seed heads are not removed.