General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Adaptable plant that is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded (about every 4 years). Remove spent flowers to prolong bloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Large, daisy-like flowers with slightly drooping, white petals (ray flowers) and large, coppery-orange (often with a green tinge) central cones. Long summer bloom period. Best flower display is late June to late July, with sporadic continued bloom into September. Flowers grow on rigid stems to 3' tall. Dark green leaves are lance-shaped and coarsely-toothed. Good fresh cut or dried flower. Dead flower stems remain erect well into the winter and are often visited by goldfinches who perch on or just below the blackened cones to feed on the seeds. Echinacea comes from the Greek word "echinos" meaning hedgehog in reference to the spiny center cone.
Problems:
Japanese beetle and leaf spot are occasional problems.
Uses:
Excellent, long-blooming flower for massing in the border, meadow, naturalized area, wildflower garden or part shade area of woodland garden. Often massed with other purple coneflowers and black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckias).
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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