Happy Star holds its white petals out flat around a yellow-green cone, which gives each flower a broad open face rather than a relaxed one. This native selection, Echinacea purpurea 'Happy Star', grows 36 to 42 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide in full sun to part sun, hardy from Zone 3 through Zone 8.
Bloom starts in early summer and continues into fall on tall sturdy stems that stand without staking. The long stems cut well.
At three feet and up this is one of the taller coneflowers, which puts it in the middle or back of a border rather than the front.
Leave the last seedheads standing at the end of the season for goldfinches. Purple coneflower takes drought, heat, humidity, poor soil, and clay once established, and full sun gives the sturdiest stems. Deer generally leave it alone.
Size at Maturity
Height 36"- 42" Spread 18"- 24"
Growing Zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8
Lowest Temperatures -40°F to -30°F
Light Requirements
Full sun to part sun- at least 4 hours direct sun per day
Wildlife Benefits
Native Range
AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV