Echinacea angustifolia

Sometimes called Black Sampson for its thick black tap root, this plant is a better choice for xeric plantings than the more common Purple Coneflower, E. purpurea, and every bit as attractive. Its stature is a little shorter but its flower heads are about the same size and equally effective at feeding droves of butterflies. Narrow-Leaf Purple Coneflower is a prairie plant performing best in a well-drained soil in full sun and kept on the dry side. Don’t over-crowd this native perennial and give it time to get established in your garden.