The purple, daisylike blossoms of the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) rise above the garden on 1 1/2- to 5-foot-tall plants. Also known as the hedge coneflower and purple echinacea, this hardy perennial grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. While the flowers readily set seed, attracting birds and other wildlife, you should cut back the dead blossoms to encourage repeat blooming and prevent self-sowing.
How to Deadhead
Removing the dead blossoms, or deadheading, is a simple chore when performed once or twice a week. Simply use garden shears or anvil pruners to snip off the stem of each dead blossom where it meets the leaves or stem of the plant. Many perennials, including purple coneflowers, develop new flowers when the dead blossoms are removed, extending the blooming season by several months. Coneflowers readily self-sow. By removing the dead flowers and developing seeds you can reduce the number of volunteer seedlings in spring. If you leave the last flowers of the season on the plants, you provide fall and winter food for the little sparrows and other seed-eating birds in your garden.
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