Echinacea pallida

Echinacea pallida, or the pale purple coneflower, is an elegant perennial native to the North American prairies of states like Wisconsin, Iowa and Louisiana. Compared with Echinacea purpurea, it's slightly shorter and has narrower, paler and more reflexed petals, though it's just as hardy and will attract just as much wildlife.

It looks lovely if planted in drifts, to gently merge with other prairie-style plants like heleniums, rudbeckias and ornamental grasses.

For best results, grow Echinacea pallida in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Cut back the whole plant to the ground in autumn, then mulch at the same time or wait until spring.