[PLANT PROFILE] ECHINACEA
Echinacea purpurea illustration by karen blackerby logan
ECHINACEA
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 sometimes Echinacea paradoxa. Starting plants from seed adds new DNA 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. Then it must be propagated asexually, by cuttings or tissue culture to become that hybrid. The hybrids now exist in all sizes and colors including orange, red, pink and yellow. We carry the Sombrero series, like Salsa Red and Adobe Orange which are two of our favorites. We also carry the shorter Pow Wow series, Pow Wow Wildberry and Pow Wow White. 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!
Echinacea ‘White Swan’
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 to part shade. Best in full sun.
Coneflowers aren’t fussy. They aren’t particularly bothered by pests and do not require much fertilizer.
Mid-summer bloom
USES
Attracts all types of butterflies, birds, bees and other pollinators!
Birds also enjoy coneflowers in the garden. 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.