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Hardy coneflowers (Echinaea purpurea) are a secret weapon in a perennials garden, with their cheerful daisy flowers and long blooming season (from early through late summer if you deadhead spent flowers).
A quintessential prairie wildflower, sturdy coneflower daisies are native to North America and colorful companions to asters, yarrow, and salvia in a summer border.
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is the most common variety (and has more of a pinkish, mauve shade than a true purple). Coneflowers also can bloom in shades of white, cream, red, orange, and yellow.
Hardy in a wide range of climates, coneflowers are perennials in USDA growing zones 3 to 10. Plant them in a sunny spot and deadhead them throughout the growing season to encourage successive waves of blooms. To see more ideas about how to use coneflowers in a landscape, see 10 Ideas to Steal from Prairie-Style Gardens.