Large, rich rosy-purple, daisy-like flowers with prominent orange-brown centres on stiff stems appear from June to September. One of our recommended plants, it's tough and does not need staking and makes an excellent cut flower. Like other coneflowers, it is long-flowering and will cope well with adverse weather conditions, except drought. Try it dotted through a sunny, mixed border or in bold drifts among grasses where it will extend the season of interest. It is attractive to bees and butterflies, and birds will flock to the seedheads.