Perennial in zones 3-9; drought-tolerant once established. Medicinal uses
Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2A | May 30 | Apr 4 | May 30 | May 30 |
| Zone 3B | May 15 | Mar 20 | May 15 | May 15 |
| Zone 4A | May 8 | Mar 13 | May 8 | May 8 |
| Zone 4B | May 1 | Mar 6 | May 1 | May 1 |
| Zone 5A | Apr 25 | Feb 28 | Apr 25 | Apr 25 |
| Zone 5B | Apr 18 | Feb 21 | Apr 18 | Apr 18 |
| Zone 6A | Apr 21 | Feb 24 | Apr 21 | Apr 21 |
| Zone 6B | Apr 10 | Feb 13 | Apr 10 | Apr 10 |
| Zone 7A | Apr 5 | Feb 8 | Apr 5 | Apr 5 |
| Zone 7B | Mar 28 | Jan 31 | Mar 28 | Mar 28 |
| Zone 8A | Mar 20 | Jan 23 | Mar 20 | Mar 20 |
| Zone 8B | Mar 12 | Jan 15 | Mar 12 | Mar 12 |
| Zone 9A | Feb 28 | Jan 3 | Feb 28 | Feb 28 |
| Zone 9B | Feb 15 | Dec 21 | Feb 15 | Feb 15 |
| Zone 10A | Feb 1 | Dec 7 | Feb 1 | Feb 1 |
| Zone 10B | Jan 15 | Nov 20 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 |
| Zone 11A | Jan 1 | Nov 6 | Jan 1 | Jan 1 |
Echinacea (coneflower) is a beautiful native perennial that supports pollinators and has medicinal uses.
Good companions: black-eyed Susans, grasses, lavender, bee balm
Avoid planting near: none — echinacea is a great garden citizen
Blooms first year from transplant, second from seed; leave some for wildlife