6. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
A classic native perennial, the purple coneflower is built to withstand extreme heat, cold, and dry conditions. Featuring bold daisy-like blooms with prominent central cones, coneflowers bloom continuously throughout the summer months.
- Light Requirements: Full sun
- Watering Needs: Low; deep root system resists drought
- Key Benefit: Attracts pollinators in summer and seed-eating birds like goldfinches in fall.
Coneflowers do not require deadheading, though doing so encourages more blooms. Leaving seed heads intact through winter offers natural bird food and cold-season interest.
