Among the nine species of echinacea, E. pallida stands out with its eye-catching long, pale purple petals. While it is not as commonly used in herbal remedies as E. purpurea and E. angustifolia, its aesthetic appeal makes it a valuable addition to any herb garden.
 
Echinacea pallida is native to the central and southeastern regions of the United States, thriving in a variety of habitats, including prairies, open woods, and along roadsides. In contrast to E. angustifolia, which has adapted to the drier conditions of the Great Plains, E. pallida prefers relatively moist soils, making it more suitable for cultivation in the UK climate.
 
If you're cultivating multiple echinacea species in your garden, it's important to note that they can cross-pollinate if grown close together. This means that seeds you collect or any self-seeded plants may exhibit genetic variations and differ in their active ingredients for herbal use. To ensure you harvest pure seeds, it's best to grow just one species or keep the plants in a cage to isolate pollinators.