The pale purple coneflower, Echinacea pallida, is a coarse, hairy perennial that grows from Nebraska to Michigan, south to Georgia and Texas. This plant has narrow, parallel-veined, toothless, dark green leaves and large, daisy-like flowers with drooping, pale pinkish-purple petals and coppery-orange center cones. Long summer blooms appear on rigid stems 2-3'' tall. This species has two distinctive characteristics: thin, parallel-veined leaves and thin, highly relaxed rays that almost hang straight down. Flower displays are best from late June to late July, with sporadic blooms continuing into autumn.

It thrives in dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade, with full sun being best. This plant tolerates heat, drought, humidity, and poor soils. Overcrowded clumps should be divided about every four years. In most cases, plants rebloom without deadheading, but promptly removing spent flowers improves their appearance. Leave some seed heads on the plant so it can self-seed.