Echinacea tennesseensis
Tennessee Coneflower
DESCRIPTION
Tennessee ConeflowerEchinacea tennesseensis
Many wonderful pastel pink, flat-topped flowers with green and burgundy cones track the sun like sunflowers. Tennessee coneflower is a great choice for hot dry sites that are difficult for other species. Compact, easy-to-grow, vigorous, and very floriferous. This endangered species may be grown in the same manner as other coneflowers by massing in the border, meadow, naturalized area or wildflower garden.
BENEFITS
Attracts butterflies in large numbersHummingbirds thrive on the sweet nectar
Finches crave its seed in the fall
Long blooming and a colorful cut flower
Drought tolerant once established
Looks terrific planted with native grasses
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Federally endangered, it is currently only found in three counties in Tennessee.
Interesting Facts
Known only from five populations within a 14 mile radius in Middle Tennessee, it was the second plant listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June 1979. First listed in the Flora of Tennessee in 1906, the plant was thought to be extinct for half a century until it was rediscovered in 1968 in LaVergne (near Nashville). This site was destroyed by the construction of a trailer park in the 1970's.
GROWING TIPS