SCIENTIFIC NAME: Echinacea purpurea 'Happy Star'

COMMON NAME: Happy Star Purple Coneflower

GARDEN SIZE: 24-36 inches tall by 18-24 inches wide

GROWTH RATE: Moderate

USDA ZONE: 3-8

EXPOSURE: Full to Part Sun (4 or more hours of sun per day, ideally light afternoon shade)

WATER & SOIL: Prefers well-drained soil and has average water requirements.

HABIT (FORM): Upright, well-branched, clump-forming

LIFE CYCLE: Perennial; capable of producing viable seed and freely self-seeding when seed heads are retained. Seedlings may vary and should not be expected to remain true to the original cultivar

FOLIAGE: Medium green, rough-textured, narrow-ovate leaves with serrated margins

FLOWERS: Single; bright white, 3-inch blooms with horizontally held petals surrounding contrasting orange-yellow cones; blooms heavily from late spring through summer with occasional rebloom into fall

PLANT ORIGIN: Native to eastern North America, including Tennessee

WILDLIFE SUPPORT: Provides abundant nectar and pollen for local pollinators and other beneficial insects. While offering limited larval host value, seed heads feed goldfinches and other birds into fall and winter.

FERTILIZING: Give a root stimulant or 4-3-3 fertilizer during initial planting, then feed lightly in late winter or early spring with compost or an organic fertilizer.

PRUNING: Cut back to just above soil level in early spring. Leave the seedheads in place over the fall and winter to support wildlife.

TOXICITY FLAGS: Generally considered non-toxic to people, dogs, cats, and horses. As with any plant, consuming large quantities may cause mild digestive upset.

USES: Borders, meadows, prairies, rain gardens, cut flowers, containers (please note that use in containers voids the limited one-year warranty)