![]() ![]() The traditional use of the Echinacea herb plant was considered helpful for the common cold, toothache, burns and external sores, sore throat, psoriasis, rheumatism, stomach cramps and to counter the effects of poison ivy and snakebite. Some European countries, in particular Germany, are very familiar with the purple coneflower herb and have added many Echinacea herb products in the marketplace. Today, a move back to more natural tonics and medicines and our eclectic approach to health are contributing to a resurfacing of traditional uses of medical herbs such as echinacea. purpurea in particular is widely known, and it grows readily from Purple Coneflower seeds. Used in perennial borders for over 200 years, the species E. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea) - Echinacea, (pronounced Ek-i-nay-see-a), commonly known as purple coneflower, is a herbaceous perennial plant with four species and six varieties all indigenous to North America, of which three, E. Purple Coneflower is often used in prairie restoration where locally common. It makes a good cut flower, and the flowers attract butterflies, honey bees and wild bees. ![]() Plants are easy to grow, and will tolerate a combination of heat and humidity. This coneflower produces large, rose-purple flowers, up to 6 inches across, with dome-shaped centers, giving it the alternate common name of Hedgehog Coneflower. This rejuvenates the plant and often produces a new display of beautiful blooms that last until frost.Ĭoneflower care is as simple as that and the plants will reward you with abundant flowering each and every year thereafter.Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea) Birds, Cut Flower, Honey Bee, Native Bees, Pollinator, U.S. When late summer blooms of the purple coneflower begin to look tired or ragged, cut the plant back by a third. If flowers are small or poorly developed, try working in a small amount of well composted material in the soil around the plants. Purple coneflower plants are drought resistant and often thrive in dry summers.Ĭoneflower care may include limited fertilization, but this is often not needed. In seasons with normal rainfall, additional watering is not necessary. Once planted and established, learning how to care for coneflowers is easy. Growing purple coneflower from seeds is easy enough for the beginning gardener, while long-time gardeners delight in the ease of how to care for coneflowers. Root division should be limited to every three to four years. Younger coneflower plants may not have developed a root system that is extensive enough for division. Only plants that have been in the ground for three years or longer should be divided. Division: Purple coneflower plants may be started from root division in fall.Alternately, planting purple coneflower seeds in autumn, in areas with cold winters, allows the seeds to chill naturally. Those in areas where temperatures remain warm year long may want to try this technique. Professional growers believe stratification (chilling) of the seeds for a few weeks, after they are planted in moist soil, produces a more abundant bloom when growing purple coneflowers. Place a brown paper bag over the seed head, turn right side up, and let seeds drop into the bag. Seeds: If you wish to collect seeds for next year’s crop of purple coneflower plants, do so before the birds have eaten all the seeds.Purple coneflower plants may be started from seed or root division: In more southern areas, morning sun may facilitate the best performance, with late afternoon shade protecting the plants from burning. Full sun is defined as at least six hours of sun each day. When planting purple coneflower, locate them in a full sun area. Rich or heavily amended soil may result in lush foliage and poor flowering. Purple coneflower plants grow best in poor or lean soil. The sturdy stalks, which may reach 5 feet (1.5 m.) in height, rarely bend or require staking for an upright appearance.Ĭoneflower plants may actually display pink flowers, when the cultivar Echinacea purpurea ‘Pink Double Delight’ is planted. The plant also provides a tall background or repeating rows of large, often 6 inches (15 cm.) across, purple, daisy-like flowers. Planting purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea) in the garden or flower bed draws bees and butterflies, ensuring that nearby plants have plenty of pollinators. A native to the eastern United States, purple coneflowers are found in many flower gardens.
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