Coneflower, Pale Purple
Echinacea Pallida, Pale Purple Cone Flower, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan, maybe. When we started our nursery in 2020, Michigan Flora said that Purple Coneflower was adventive (migrated, possibly with human help) and not native to Michigan. Instead, they listed Pale Purple Coneflower as native to both Michigan and the UP. Sometime in 2021 or 2022, they decided Purple Coneflower was native, and Pale Purple Coneflower was adventive. As of January 2023, Purple Coneflower has two descriptions on the same page, one saying Native and the other Adventive, so apparently the debate continues. The point is, these determinations are subject to revision and interpretation. Worst-case scenario is that Pale Purple Coneflower is native to adjacent states and is naturalized in the UP.
Plant reaches 3 feet tall and flowers from June to July with a large lavender blossom. This blooms a bit before Purple Coneflower, so including both in your garden can extend the purple bloom time. It prefers full to partial sun, medium to dry soil and will grow in clay, loam or sand. Pale Purple Coneflower is popular with bees, butterflies, and skippers. It is one of the host plants for checkerspot butterflies and also several of the prettier moths. The seeds are eaten by birds, despite having one of the pokiest seed heads I have ever seen.