Magnus Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ is a clump-forming purple coneflower with rose-pink rays around a prominent central cone. Oklahoma State lists mature plants at 2–3 feet tall and describes flowering from early summer until frost; a Colorado State University trial measured plants at about 2–2.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, while a separate regional trial reported a wider 40-inch plant. ## Garden use Use ‘Magnus’ in sunny perennial borders, prairie-style plantings, and cutting gardens. Its strong stems and long flowering season provide a clear vertical accent, and its open flower cones are visited by pollinators. The Mt. Cuba trial ranked the cultivar among its better Echinacea for pollinator visits, though performance varies by region. ## Growing conditions Give it full sun for best flowering, with light shade tolerated, in well-drained soil. Oklahoma State describes the cultivar as heat and drought tolerant and lists it for USDA zone 3; the catalog range of zones 3–8 is retained. Water regularly while establishing and during extended drought. ## Maintenance Remove spent flower heads for a tidier look, or leave some cones to mature for seed and late-season bird activity. Cut old stems back in late winter or early spring. Sources: [Oklahoma State University](https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/oklahoma-proven/plant-profiles/magnus-purple-coneflower), [Colorado State University trial report](https://agsci.colostate.edu/landscapeplants/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2015/08/2013-CSU-Perennial-Garden-Report.pdf), [Mt. Cuba Center Echinacea report](https://www.publicgardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20033-echinacea-report-interactive.pdf).