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Magnus Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'

  • Magnus Petals Stay Perfectly Horizontal, Never Drooping Like Other Coneflowers
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
  • Grows 2-4 ft Tall, 1-2 ft Wide
  • Showy Purple, Pink Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
  • Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
Regular price $1699
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Magnus Purple Coneflower thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, you will notice fewer flowers and weaker stems that may flop over without enough sun.
  • Soil: This perennial prefers well drained soil and is not picky about pH. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost or aged bark to improve drainage, as "wet feet" during the winter can cause the roots to rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water your Coneflower twice a week to help the root system reach deep into the soil. Once established, Magnus is remarkably drought tolerant and only needs supplemental water during long dry spells. Inconsistent watering during the heat of summer can lead to smaller, pale blooms and premature drooping of the foliage.

Pruning Tips

This plant blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is in early spring just as new growth appears. You can cut the dead stems back to the ground to make room for fresh stalks. Deadheading spent flowers throughout the summer encourages the plant to put energy into new buds rather than seed production, though many gardeners leave the last round of seed heads standing to feed goldfinches in the winter.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer or a layer of compost in early spring as the plant wakes up. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this promotes tender green growth that will be easily damaged by the first frost. A light touch is better here, as over-fertilizing often results in plenty of leaves but very few of those iconic purple flowers.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

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Description

The gorgeous Magnus Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus') is a gorgeous native plant that grows strong and true and makes a spectacular cut flower. A native of the dry prairies and open woodlands of North America, Purple Coneflowers have long been a favorite of gardeners worldwide!

Magnus Purple Coneflower is a relative of the sunflower and features a central cone surrounded by wide, flat purple-pink petals that stick straight out, they don't droop like other Coneflowers are prone to do. The scratchy green leaves add an equally bold presence to the landscape and won't fade in the sun.

The well-branched stems can be 2 to 4 feet long making Magnus an excellent cut flower and stately border plant! Butterflies and bees will adore it, and hummingbirds too! After they flower, the spiky cones can be dried to use indoors or left on the plant for the birds to enjoy during the winter.

Magnus was awarded the title of 1998 Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association. Hardy throughout USDA growing zones from 3 to 8, these tough prairie native cultivars grow 2-4 feet in height and spread 18-24 inches wide.

Planting and Application:

Although Magnus is slow to start in the spring, it loves the sun and grows quickly with the onset of hot summer weather! Blooming in the summer to the fall in Pollinator Borders, Cut Flower gardens, Cottage Gardens, and prairie and meadow installations, Coneflower are rugged blooms that support butterflies like the Monarch butterfly when they need nectar the most.

Magnus can be massed in harsh locations in the sun, handling poor soil, and periodic drought, making them fantastic in the hell-strip along the road or sidewalk, in Rock Gardens, or in a Xeric garden with Prairie Grasses and other prairie wildflowers. The deep roots make them able to handle wildfire, so include them in your Fire-Wise landscaping plan!

Plant in the back of a perennial border or showcased as a single specimen, and it is equally at home in native restoration gardens or in more formal plantings. Its brilliant purple-pink color works well with blues and its rounded shape nicely complements the linear lines of plants like Liatris.

  • Award-Winning Perennial!
  • Purple-Pink Petals & Raised Spiky Centers
  • Long Bloom Time
  • Great Cut Flower & Pollinator Plant
  • Sun Beds & Borders, Patio Planters, Xeric & Fire-Wise Landscaping

#ProPlantTips for Care:

You'll have very little care once these sun-loving plants are established in your yard. They are tolerant of "beginner gardeners" and are easy to grow, even in poor soils. If you want the best performance, you will need to give them plenty of sunshine. They'll need at least 6 hours of full sun a day. Don't plant this herbaceous perennial in low-lying areas that collect water. They need well-drained soil. Although they will be relatively drought tolerant, you'll get more blooms with a regular schedule of medium water.

Feel free to cut the blooms and take them inside for flower arrangements. It's a great way to deadhead the fresh or fading blooms and encourage a new flush to follow right along behind it. In early spring, if you've left your perennial plantings to stand over the winter, just snip the stalks back down to an inch above ground level. Coneflowers are almost maintenance-free and do well in most of the country with very little care.

  • Easy Care In Full Sun
  • Needs Well-Drained Soil
  • Moderate to Low Moisture
  • Deadhead Spent Flowers & Prune In Spring
  • Xeric & Drought-Tolerant

Hardy and bold, these are aptly named and among the greatest of the Echinacea! Order your award-winning Magnus Purple Coneflower from Nature Hills Nursery today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature height and width of Magnus Purple Coneflower?

  • Magnus Purple Coneflower reaches 2-4 feet tall and spreads 18-24 inches wide at maturity. This hardy perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and develops strong, well-branched stems perfect for cut flowers. Plant it in back borders or as a specimen where it has room to reach full size.

Does Magnus Purple Coneflower grow well in my planting zone (e.g., zone 9)?

  • Magnus Purple Coneflower thrives in USDA zones 3-8. If you're in zone 9, this variety may struggle with excessive heat and humidity. For warmer zones, consider heat-tolerant native alternatives available at naturehills.com.

How much sun does Magnus Purple Coneflower need—full sun or partial shade?

  • Magnus Purple Coneflower thrives in full sun and loves hot summer weather. This prairie native can handle harsh, sunny locations and poor soil conditions. Plant it where it gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best blooms and strongest growth.

Is Magnus Purple Coneflower drought-tolerant once established?

  • Yes, Magnus Purple Coneflower is very drought-tolerant once established. As a native prairie plant with deep roots, it handles periodic drought and poor soil conditions well. Plant it in full sun and expect it to thrive in harsh, dry locations after the first growing season.

Does Magnus Purple Coneflower need fertilizer, and when?

  • Magnus Purple Coneflower thrives in poor soil and rarely needs fertilizer, as these prairie natives are adapted to lean conditions. Over-fertilizing can actually reduce flowering and make stems weak. A light application of compost in early spring is sufficient for this hardy perennial available at naturehills.com.

How do I deadhead or prune Magnus Purple Coneflower for more blooms?

  • Deadhead spent Magnus blooms by cutting stems back to the next flower bud or leaf node to encourage continuous flowering through fall. Since these stems reach 2-4 feet, you can cut them back by one-third in midsummer for bushier growth. Leave final blooms for winter bird food.

Is Magnus Purple Coneflower deer-resistant or attractive to wildlife?

  • Magnus Purple Coneflower is highly attractive to beneficial wildlife including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, while being naturally deer-resistant. The spiky seed cones also provide winter food for birds. Plant in sunny locations where you want to encourage pollinators without worrying about deer damage.

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