echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) native
$13.95
- AKA rudbeckia purpurea
- drooping petals of purple-pink flowers with a spiky, orange cone lance-shaped and coarse-toothed leaves on sturdy stems
- bloom time: midsummer to early fall
- the name echinacea comes from the greek word echinos meaning "hedgehog," in reference to the spiny, centre cone
- echinacea purpurea is the species most widely used in herbal medicine
- zone 3
- height 90-120cm
- spread 50-60cm
- colour purple
- echinacea thrives in an average to moist, well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade
- they are drought tolerant once established and adaptable to heat and poor soils
- taller cultivars may grow leggy and require staking if grown in dense shade
- regular deadheading is recommended to improve appearance, but not necessary to increase bloom time
- direct, sun exposure helps develop proper, flower pigmentation
- pay special attention to plant depth: crown must be at or slightly above soil level
- freely self-seeds if finished blooms are left on the plant
- full sun, partial sun/shade
- attracts butterflies
- attracts birds
- deer resistant
- drought tolerant, once established
- heat tolerant
- long blooming
- native to ontario
- (image courtesy of NVK nurseries, NVK holdings inc.)