Echinacea or Rudbeckia purpurea: 7 beautiful ideas for association

Versatile, Echinacea, also known as Purple Coneflower or Rudbeckia, is essential in a natural garden for creating wild and colourful scenes or more sophisticated arrangements.

This perennial blooms all summer from June to early autumn without interruption, gracing naturalistic borders, cottage gardens, and contemporary prairie gardens. Alternately subtle or vibrant, it adapts to all whims and creativity. Its sunny flowers, whether simple daisies or fluffy pom-poms, are classics in mixed borders, adding exuberance, character, and whimsy, sometimes even reaching a tasteful eccentricity.

From Echinacea purpurea to Echinacea pallida with its finely trailing ligules, and including Echinacea paradoxa, this low-maintenance plant pairs effortlessly with other perennials that, like it, require little care and attention.

When planted in groups rather than alone, it creates a strong presence in a border, either providing contrast or in a monochrome display of purple, pink, yellow, or white. For an explosive mix of bold tones, it can be joyfully combined with Oriental Poppies, Daisies, Agastaches, Rudbeckias, Coreopsis, Echinops, Lupins, or Phlox. At the edge of a border, it will shine alongside Shrubby Salvias, Dwarf Gladioli, or Daylilies. Grasses and light-statured perennials like Fennel, Gaura, or Gypsophila will add softness and movement, contrasting with the vigorous Echinacea. Its inflorescences in heads create vibrant bouquets, and its centres will make striking dry floral arrangements.

The Echinacea is easy to pair; let yourself be inspired by our 9 pairing ideas.