ECHINACEA 30% OFF

CONEFLOWER

Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog or sea-urchin in reference to the spiny central cone.

Natives Vs Hybrids

We grow several species of Echinacea, such as Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida and Echinacea paradoxa. Starting plants from seed adds new DNA combinations to the species and the population. This is thought to increase chances of populations being able to adapt and fight off disease. Thus the hybrids may not be as adaptable. The native cone flowers exist in pink and yellow.

We sell countless hybrids that the horticultural industry has created from mostly Echinacea purpurea. It can take several years for a hybrid to be stable enough to be sold in the market. It is possible that some of the hybrids, which are mostly asexually propagated by cuttings or tissue culture, may not be as adaptable or hardy as the species but boy are they beautiful. The hybrids now exist in all sizes and colors including orange, red, pink, yellow or even bicolor. We carry the Sombrero series, like Salsa Red and Adobe Orange which are two of our favorites. We love many of the Echinacea hybrids like Green twister and White Swan.

*If food for pollinators is your #1 reason for planting Echinacea, either plant the native species or pick the single hybrids. The doubles are not believed to be good food for pollinators. Many of the doubles are sterile and produce no seed.

Coneflowers come in a rainbow of colors!

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ECHINACEA AVAILABLE AT VINEYARD GARDENS

USES

• Attracts all types of butterflies, birds, bees and other pollinators!

• Let the later blooms stand throughout winter, where the characteristic central cone swollen and full of seed offers an excellent food source for birds. Once spring arrives, simply cut back your coneflowers to the ground.

• Medicinal use: to help boost the immune system and shorten the duration of the common cold and flu. Echinacea flowers are often associated with health and healing.

GROWING CONDITIONS

• Herbaceous perennial that is native to the mid west prairies of the US.

• An adaptable plant that is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil.

• Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Coneflowers are not fussy. They aren’t particularly bothered by pests and do not require fertilizer.

• Mid-summer bloom

An excellent, long-blooming flower for massing in the border, meadow, native plant garden, naturalized area or wildflower garden. Often massed with black-eyed Susans.