Echinacea, Purple coneflower, is a nectar source for Monarchs. The plant is regarded as an immune system booster and much research is in progress regarding its use in the treatement of AIDS. A perennial, it blooms from July to September. The White Swan variety is easy to grow, it does not require pre-chilling to germinate but blooms two weeks later than the purple. Echinacea is used by tribes from British Columbia to New Brunswick.