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E is for Echinacea

© Jojo Sigurgeirson

In a POLL taken by readers, Echinacea won, so this is what this article will be about.

Echinacea is easy to grow in most any garden bed with sun. It doesn't need much care but prefers soil that's on the dry side but fertile. It's native habitat is on dry meadows where it is often found growing as a wild flower amongst grasses. For this reason, it makes a great companion for ornamental grasses. One of the most attractive mass plantings I have ever seen consisted of a Deschampsia caespisota (Tufted Hairgrass), Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' (White Coneflower) and Thalictrum finetti, a very graceful and strong-growing meadow-rue. I saw this display in the summer, and it was clear that other plants were thrown in for colour at different times of the year.

In the garden, echinaceas look great in large clumps, which they will eventually form by themselves. Most get to a range between 60 to 100 cm. I think they make a great filler for a mixed perennial border, although many gardeners prefer a softer or more dainty look for a plant that is to be repeated amongst the design as the plant matures and is divided. Their overall theme is bold. Repeated they can add excitement to the garden for the whole summer.

Echinacea Species and Varieties

Echinacea angustifolia - Coneflower: Black Sampson Echinacea pallida - Coneflower: Purple Coneflower (Piney & Post Oak) Echinacea purpurea - Coneflower: Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 'Bravado' - Coneflower: Bravado Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' - Coneflower: Kim's Knee High Coneflower - A PPAF Winner Echinacea purpurea 'Leuchtstern' ('Bright Star') - Coneflower: Bright Star Echinacea Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Coneflower: Magnus Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' - Coneflower: White Swan Coneflower Echinacea sanguinea - Coneflower: Purple Coneflower (Prairies E Texas)

Picture of a yellow Echinacea

Picture of Echinacea pallida.

Great Echinacea Links
Drive-by Echinacea
From Barbara Martin's Cottage Garden

Echinacea's Herbal uses
This article will tell you more about the medicinal aspects of the coneflower, and has a lovely closeup of a flower head.

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