PURPLE CONEFLOWER [Echinacea purpurea]

 

WARNING: not for use as a medicinal, herb or tea if you are allergic to ragweed or marigold

Pretty, attracts pollinators. An all around perfect perennial for any garden.

You can find Echinacea seeds, plants and products in my shop.

Growing

Purple coneflower is a hardy herbaceous perennial.

It likes average well-drained soil, but can tolerate sandy.

It requires dark for germination, so a deeper 1/2 inch seed depth is preferred!

uses

Can last up to two weeks as a cut flower. Once dried, it makes a nice addition to dried arrangements.

The make a lovely container plant.

Flowers and leaves can be eaten in salad. All parts of the plant are edible. Leaves can be used as any edible green and chopped and added to soups.

Echinacea tea has been used for more than 500 years by Native Americans. Although tea is usually made using the leaves, roots and flowers, stems are less often used.

Final Thoughts

Serving so many uses such as edibility, cut flower, pollinator attractor, and dried accent, purple coneflower is truly one of the best plants to have in your garden. It is very easy to grow and flourishes once established. As with any perennial, we go by slow-grow-show. The 1st year we baby it, the 2nd year we cut off blooms and let the roots establish, then the 3rd year we get a show of beautiful blooms that will continue to get better each year.

specs

Echinacea purpurea

Type: Perennial

Uses: Medicinal, border

Hardiness Zone: 3-8, in colder climates provide protection the first year

Germination: Can be started indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplanted out after frost date

Seed Prep: Cold stratify 11-14 weeks or direct sow in fall

Seed Depth: 1/2 inch

Germination Time: 10-14 days

Growing Temp: 68-70° F

Height: 2-5 feet Spread: 1-2 feet

Spacing: 2-3 feet

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade, 4+ hours, less light/less flowers Water Requirements: Average, drought tolerant

Soil Quality: Well drained but not picky

Soil Chemistry: 6.5-7 pH neutral to acidic, but not picky

Fertilize: Top dress with compost in spring, do not over fertilize if in containers

Growth Rate: Up to 2 years for blooms

Bloomtime: Summer Attracts: Butterflies, bees Critter Resistant: Generally to deer

Critter Attractant: Rabbits

Harvest: New leaves, flowers, stems throughout growing season, roots after first frost

Pruning: Deadhead regularly, remove any mildewed/spotted leaves

Pests: Aphids, white fly, thrips, Japanese beetles, leaf hoppers, but pretty pest resistant

Diseases: Aster yellows [destroy plant if infected], mild mildew, botrytis, rhizoctonia, pythium

Reseeds: Yes

Propagation: Seeds, root divisions in early spring or late fall, low results from stem cuttings

Garden Style: English cottage

Companions: Black eyed Susan, butterfly weed, gaillardia, lupines, bee balm, cardinal flower, phlox, coreopsis, goldenrod, salvia, baby's breath, poppy, achillea, sage, catmint

Allergy Potential: Reactions might occur in some people, especially in people who are allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies. May cause redness, itchiness or rash when it comes into contact with the skin.

https://www.thespruce.com/echinacea-purple-coneflowers-1402840 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/echinacea-tea.html

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30222488/

https://www.waltersgardens.com/variety.php?ID=ECHPE