Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Magnus Purple Coneflower: The Classic Partner After Lavender
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Magnus purple coneflower is the classic purple coneflower: broad rose-pink petals held out nearly flat, rather than drooping, around a raised, spiny, coppery brown cone. New flowers open deeper in color and fade to pale rose, so the clump has a two-tone look at peak. It was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 1998 and remains one of the most reliable coneflowers you can grow.
Magnus at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' |
| Flowers | 4 to 5 inches, rose pink with a coppery brown cone |
| Foliage | Dark green, coarse texture |
| Size | About 36 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early July, peaks late July, six weeks or more |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer resistant; seeds for finches |
Lavender's classic summer partner
Coneflower and lavender are one of the great cottage-garden pairings, and Magnus is the version to start with. Both thrive in sun and well-drained soil, both handle heat and dry spells once established, and neither likes wet winter ground. Magnus blooms right after lavender, so as the lavender is harvested or sheared, the coneflowers take over with big rose-pink daisies that bees and butterflies love.
At about three feet tall, Magnus works best behind lavender or in drifts between lavender groups. Leave enough room between plants that the lavender still gets airflow. Try it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Timing: plant by late summer so roots establish before winter.
- Soil: average to lean, well drained. Crown and root rot happen in wet, poorly drained soil.
- Water: regularly the first season, then only in long droughts.
- Deadheading: removes spent flowers to extend bloom.
- Winter: leave stems standing and avoid heavy mulch over the crown.
Cutting, drying and the birds
Magnus is rated good for both cut and dried flowers. Cut stems when the petals have just opened. Cones alone dry well for wreaths and dried bundles with lavender. In fall, stop deadheading and let some seed heads stand; goldfinches will pick at them into winter, and the dark cones look good with snow.
One problem worth knowing
Aster yellows, a disease spread by leafhoppers, can make coneflower flowers green and distorted. Affected plants do not recover, so remove them promptly to protect the rest. Crowded plants in damp shade are also more prone to leaf spot and mildew, another reason to give Magnus sun and space. The Plant Health Checker can help if something looks off.
Frequently asked questions
Is Magnus a native plant?
It is a selection of the native purple coneflower, and it is long lived and reliable.
Does it have a scent?
The flowers have a faint, sweet scent. Plant it next to lavender and you will not be short on fragrance.
How is it sold?
As a full 72-cell plug tray, suited to growers and mass plantings. See the product page for current availability.
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