Purple Emperor Coneflower

Purple Emperor is a compact hybrid coneflower with saturated magenta-purple petals, a dark central cone, and deep green foliage. Proven Winners lists it at 15–18 inches tall by 12–16 inches wide, flowering from midsummer into fall in sun or part sun. ## Garden Use and Bloom The sturdy, well-branched stems hold fragrant flowers above a bushy mound. The petal tips lighten toward pink as each bloom ages while the center stays vivid, so the plant gives a border or patio container a changing purple-pink accent. The breeder profile lists it for borders, mass planting, containers, and cutting. ## Siting Choose a sunny position for the strongest flowering; light shade is tolerated. Use well-drained soil and allow roughly 12–16 inches between plants so the foliage and flowering stems have room to develop. Its compact proportions suit the front or middle of a mixed perennial bed and smaller gardens where taller coneflowers would dominate. ## Maintenance Water regularly while newly planted, then water during extended dry spells; the breeder describes established plants as drought tolerant. Leave some late-season flower heads if you want to retain winter structure and a seed source for birds. [Proven Winners cultivar profile](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/echinacea/butterfly-purple-emperor-coneflower-echinacea-hybrid) · [US plant patent for ‘Purple Emperor’](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP24459P2/en)