Purple Coneflower Substitutions

The purple coneflower is a native American flowering plant known for its drought resistance, attractive purple flowers and hardy nature. If for some reason, you don’t want to plant this particular flower, there are other coneflower varieties and species to substitute for the purple coneflower.

Black-eyed Susans

• Black-eyed Susans are well known American wildflowers.

  Black-eyed Susans are well-known native American biennials. Growing up to 2 feet in height, the blooms look similar to the purple coneflower; however, the difference is that black-eyed Susans have yellow petals. Like purple coneflowers, these plants can be very competitive and can overpower other plant species in the area. Drought resistant and requiring full sunlight, the black-eyed Susan has similar growing conditions as the purple coneflower, making it a hardy substitute.

Marguerite Daisy

• The Marguerite daisy is a full-sun to part-sun annual that looks similar to the purple coneflower. It grows up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Drought resistant and hardy, the Marguerite daisy is also well suited to colder climates, though it is fully capable of both warm and cool environments. Blooms last from spring to fall.

Harvest Moon

• The Harvest Moon coneflower is another species of coneflower. Identical in structure to the purple coneflower, the Harvest Moon variety has light peach color for its petals. The center of the flower is also of a lighter hue. Plant in full sun. Drought tolerant, the Harvest Moon does not require much water. Be careful when planting with other plants, as the Harvest Moon coneflower can overpower other species.

Shasta Daisies

• Shasta Daisies offer bright blooms.

  Shasta daisies are native to Europe; however, their colorful and bright blooms have made them a popular flower variety in the United States. Shasta daises come in many colors. Blooming through June and July, the daisies are hardy, drought resistant and aggressive in a flowerbed. They grow up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Shasta daisies are also ideal cut flowers, lasting 10 days in a vase.