These flowering Echinacea are a staple in many gardens. A hardy native plant, they thrive in sunny locations and offer beautiful blooms all summer long until frost.
A favorite of pollinators, deer-resistant and easy to grow, they also make a wonderful addition to perennial borders, prairies and cottage gardens. Their seed heads persist into winter providing food for birds.
CONEFLOWER BASICS
Zones Vary, though species vary from Zones 3 through 9.
Spread/Height: Variety 2-5 feet tall, and 1 1/2 or 2 inches wide.
exposure: Varies by species and zone, however they generally thrive in full sunlight. Some species may be tolerant of partial shading, but in more hot southern climates, a little shade during the afternoon can stop burning.
Time of bloom: Varies by species and cultivar, however, the bloom time usually varies between June and August, or even later.
Color of the flower: Most well-known are coneflowers in purple, however orange, red, pink white, yellow as well as green versions are also available.
Types: Although it is true that the coneflower with a purple hue, Echinacea purpurea the most popular among the gardener, there are a variety of kinds like E. paradoxa, E. pallida paradoxa, E. pallida E. tennesseensis. They are all natives of the U.S., found in areas throughout between the Midwest as well as the South. Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia E. angustifolia, and E. pallida are used extensively in herbal remedies.
Are coneflowers resistant to deer? Many gardeners report that they are deer-resistant. Their spiny center and strong scent deter animals. If deer want to eat, they’ll devour nearly anything. Other animals that could enjoy a bite include squirrels, rabbits, and woodchucks.
Do coneflowers attract butterflies and bees? If you want to attract birdsong and butterflies in your garden, plant coneflowers. For months, or even weeks in the spring and autumn, the blossoms and seed heads will draw many beautiful winged creatures. Every single flower (actually an arranged arrangement of disk and ray flowers) provides a fully full buffet tables for butterflies. Other pollinators, like honeybees as well as hummingbirds can be found in Echinacea as well. See more Bee-Friendly Flowers & Plants for Hummingbirds.
HOW TO PLANT
The best time to start: Varies by zone Sow seeds in fall or spring.
What to plant Echinacea is best placed in a location that gets 6-8 hours of sunshine per day. Too many shade could result in the stems becoming sloppy and leaves susceptible to mildew that is powdery.
What to do: To plant Echinacea seeds, break up the soil up to an extent that is 12 inches. Then, add compost to the top 2 to 4 inches. Seeds require 3-4 weeks to sprout, and you should begin to see leaves after 12 weeks. If you plan to transplant, dig an area twice as wide as the pot, and sufficient deep enough that the rootball is in line with the top in the soil.
CARE ADVICE
The easy-care perennials need only the essentials regular watering at around an inch a week, a thin layer of compost that is added in the spring. They also need cutting back the plants in the fall and, even if it’s not necessary should you choose to leave the seeds in the heads.
Pruning While deadheading may be common practice in gardens to encourage repeat blooms the majority of varieties today are flowering machines and continue to produce without cutting off blooms that are no longer needed. So you can leave them in place, providing an abundance of food for another popular species of wildlife, birds, especially smaller songbirds, like goldfinches who are enthralled by the seeds. The flowers that appear after deadheading may be smaller and less pleasing and less satisfying, so why not put aside the initial, larger flowers to die and offer the birds the chance to meal?
When your coneflower has completed blooming, it is able to be cut to the ground to allow it to overwinter. If you’d prefer to keep the seeds that have dried the coneflower can be cut back in springtime.
Soil: Average, well-drained soil.
Amendments and fertilizers: Work a bit of compost around your plants in the event that flowers are tiny or have not developed properly. Be cautious, feeding too much could result in an over abundance of foliage, and a deficiency of flowers.
Hydration: It is tolerant of dry conditions however, it is best when there is average dry to moderate moisture. It is important to water regularly, but allow the dry the soil between. Coneflowers require at least an inch of water every week.
Spread: Separate clumps after they become they get crowded, approximately every four years. If flowers are kept in good condition, they will reproduce with minimal efforts on the part of you. Deadheading can assist in limiting this, especially if they’re growing out of control. Some gardeners opt for a middle ground, and then gather the seeds to plant in carefully selected locations to be planted in the next season.
DESIGN TIPS
With a long blooming season from midsummer to late fall and bright, daisy-like flowers that attract butterflies and bees echinacea plants are an easy choice for the garden. They are also great in a mixed perennial border, rock garden or even a container. They work well en masse and make a striking addition to the cottage garden style of planting.
Plant them in rich humus-rich soil and water them well during their first year. After that they are fairly drought tolerant. They need a good supply of nutrients each spring so feed with a general purpose fertilizer. Regular deadheading encourages new flower growth and extends the blooming period. This can be done by following the stem down to where the buds are forming. A good pair of pruners such as the Fiskars Flower Snip will make short work of this task.
They are not a fan of hot dry conditions and do best in full sun but they will grow in light shade as long as the soil is rich. They are not a good pick for heavy clay or sandy soils, but they will tolerate dry conditions if there is plenty of organic matter in the soil. They prefer a well-drained location as they are prone to root rot in wet conditions.
If space is at a premium echinacea plants make excellent potted specimens as they are quite vigorous and hardy. Fill a large container with multi-purpose potting compost such as John Innes No 3 and add plenty of horticultural grit for free draining.
Echinacea has been used as a medicinal herb for over 400 years and is still very popular as an herbal remedy to boost the immune system and treat colds. It is particularly effective in reducing fevers and treating infections and wounds. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can be taken as a liquid extract, tincture or capsule.
Echinacea is a hardy perennial herb with a wide range of species and cultivars. There are compact cultivars such as the pink ‘Kim’s Knee High’ and flamboyantly colored hybrids like the ‘Art’s Pride’ which mix orange with pink in a stunning color show. They are very easy to care for and will quickly become the focal point of any garden or patio pot.
Frequently asked questions
Uses for Echinacea Flower:
Echinacea flowers are primarily used for:
- Herbal remedies: Known for boosting the immune system, treating colds, and fighting infections.
- Garden decoration: Their vibrant colors make them popular in ornamental gardening.
- Pollinator attraction: They attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Is Echinacea a Sunflower?
No, Echinacea is not a sunflower, though they belong to the same family, Asteraceae. Echinacea is commonly known as coneflower, while sunflowers are in the Helianthus genus.
What is Echinacea Best Used For?
Echinacea is best known for:
- Immune system support: It’s widely used to reduce the severity of colds and flu.
- Reducing inflammation: It can help with conditions such as skin issues and mild infections.
- General wellness: Some people use it to support overall health.
Does Echinacea Like Sun or Shade?
Echinacea thrives in full sun. It prefers at least 6 hours of sunlight per day but can tolerate partial shade, though it may produce fewer flowers in less sunlight.
