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© Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Echinacea purpurea 'Bravado'
Bravado Purple Coneflower
Eastern and central North America (prairies, open woodlands, meadows)
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Key Features
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low
Overview
Echinacea purpurea 'Bravado' is an upright, clumping, herbaceous perennial reaching 36–42 inches (90–105 cm) tall with a spread of 18–24 inches (45–60 cm). This cultivar produces single, daisy-like flower heads 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) across—among the largest flower heads in the E. purpurea selections—with rosy-pink to magenta-pink ray florets held more horizontally than the species type (which has drooping rays). The large, prominent, dark copper-orange to bronze central cone is spiny to the touch. Flowers are borne on sturdy stems from July through September. The basal foliage is dark green, coarsely textured, ovate to lance-shaped, with a rough, sandpapery surface. Growth rate is moderate. Seed-grown, so some variation in flower size and ray angle occurs within plantings. Hardy to zone 3.
Native Range
Echinacea purpurea is native to eastern and central North America, from Ohio and Virginia south to Georgia and west to Michigan, Iowa, and Louisiana, in prairies, open woodlands, thickets, and meadows.Suggested Uses
Planted in borders, prairie gardens, meadow plantings, and cottage gardens at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. The large flower heads make this suited to mid-border positions. Functions in native plant gardens and pollinator plantings. The dark cones attract goldfinches in winter. Pair with grasses, Rudbeckia, Perovskia, and Solidago. Not suitable for full shade or waterlogged soils. Seed-grown variation means uniform rows are difficult to achieve.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 3'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Single, daisy-like flower heads 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) across with rosy-pink to magenta-pink ray florets and dark copper-orange cones in July–September. Bloom duration is 8–10 weeks. Deadheading extends bloom.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Rosy-pink to magenta-pink rays; dark copper-orange to bronze coneFoliage Description
Dark green, coarsely textured, rough sandpapery surfaceGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Tolerates heat, drought, humidity, and clay soils once established. Full sun produces the sturdiest stems—partial shade can cause leaning. Hardy to zone 3. Seed-grown—expect some variation. Division every 3–4 years maintains vigor. Japanese beetles and aster yellows can occasionally affect plants.Pruning
Deadhead spent flowers to extend bloom, or leave cones standing through winter for bird seed and winter interest. Cut back all stems to the ground in late winter.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons