This week's selection is: Echinacea 'Coneflower'

A native of the dry prairies and open woodlands of North America, Echinacea purpurea, or coneflower, has long been a favorite of perennial gardeners for its upright stems and daisylike blooms, which attract birds and butterflies.

A relative of the sunflower, Echinacea features a bronze raised central cone surrounded by wide, flat, nondrooping carmine petals on 2- to 4-foot stems. An easy-to-grow plant, it offers long midsummer bloom and makes an excellent cut flower. After flowering, the petals can be removed and the cone dried for use in wreaths and dried flower arrangements.

Try these perennials as companion plants...

Daylily

Delphinium

Ornamental Grasses