What a great perennial, so pretty to look at and so easy to grow. The word Echinacea comes from the Greek word “echinos” which means hedgehog or sea urchin. This aptly describes the prickly raised central cone that gives this plant the descriptive name of Coneflower.

Echinaceas have extended bloom seasons and long lasting flowers. The blooms usually appear from late May into August. Cut flowers can last up to 2 weeks, the dried cones can be used in floral arrangements. In addition to being long lasting and long blooming,the flowers are also butterfly magnets. To keep those lovely flowers coming, deadheading is required.

Echinaceas like full or part sun. They adapt to most average garden soils, as long as they are well drained. Of course, any extra soil enrichment makes for an even better plant. Once established, Echinaceas are drought resistant. There is a wide range of new coneflower hybrids. Colors range from white, pink, purple, orange, yellow and red. Some petals are reflexive, some straight, some with pom-pom centers and some with cones.

Listed below are a few varieties that we grow.

Hot Papaya: Orange with magenta highlights. Prominent pom-pom center. Maroon markings on the stems.

 

 

 

Harvest Moon: Golden yellow with prominent central cone. Very Fragrant.

 

 

 

Magnus: Deep rosy pink-purple fading to soft pink. Typical prominent central cone. Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year for 1998. Will naturalize.

 

 

 

Pow-Wow White: White flowers with typical cone, Flowers are smaller but more floriferous. Heavily branched.

 

 

 

Pow-Wow Wild Berry: Dark purple berry color with prominent cone. (Flower is darker than ‘Magnus’) Flowers are smaller but more floriferous. Heavily branched. 2010 All American Selection Award.

 

 

 

Pink Double Delight: Bubble-gum pink. Exaggerated pom-pom center. Fragrant, compact.

 

 

 

Prairie Splendor: Large rose-pink with typical prominent cone. Tighter and more compact. 2007 Fleuro Select Gold Medal.

 

 

 

Sombrero Hot Pink: Hot rosy pink petals with prominent orange central cone. Compact with good basal branching and more floriferous. Fragrant

 

 

 

Sundown: Very fragrant single orange flower with prominent center. Multi-branched, therefore more flowers.

 

 

 

White Swan: Fragrant single white rays with prominent golden green central cone.

 

 

 

 

Echinaceas are fun to collect and fun to grow.