Echinacea Butterfly™ 'Purple Emperor'

Butterfly™ ‘Purple Emperor’ Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Purple Emperor’) is a clump-forming perennial celebrated for its dramatic, deep-purple petals surrounding a prominent burnt-orange central cone. Blooming from mid-summer into early autumn, its sturdy stems bear multiple long-lasting flowers that attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Thriving in full sun and average, well-drained soil, it’s both heat- and drought-tolerant once established. Hardy in Canadian zones 3–8, ‘Purple Emperor’ adds bold, architectural interest and vibrant pollinator-friendly colour to borders, prairie-style plantings and cut-flower gardens.

Key Features
• Botanical name: Echinacea purpurea ‘Purple Emperor’
• Common name: Butterfly™ ‘Purple Emperor’ Coneflower
• Hardiness zones: Canada Zone 3–8
• Exposure: Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
• Soil: Average to poor, well-drained; tolerates clay or sandy soils
• Height: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
• Width: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Foliage: Rough, lanceolate green leaves in basal clumps
• Flower colour: Rich purple petals with orange-brown central cone
• Bloom time: Mid-summer to early autumn (July–September)
• Maintenance: Low; deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering; divide clumps every 3–4 years
• Advantages: Long-season colour; exceptional pollinator magnet; heat- and drought-tolerant; excellent for cutting