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Echinacea, or purple coneflower, can add a dramatic color addition to your herb and landscape garden border. This versatile and beautiful perennial is native to central United States and is also now commercially grown in the U.S. and Europe.
Echinacea's height ranges from two to five feet, and is hardy to zone 3. Its long, narrow leaves are dark green and serrated. Purple, white or pink flower petals radiate downward from a cone-shaped seed head, blooming from early summer until frost. Growing This perennial can be started from seed or root division, and plants can be purchased from local nurseries or by mail order. When starting from seed, it is a good idea to start this and any other slower growing perennials in the fall to get them a good start before placing them in the ground. It prefers rich, sandy soil and full sun, but can be grown in part shade. Companion Plants Foliage-complimenting plantings of dill, lady's mantle and dusty miller are just a few examples of plants which would add to the positive visual look of echinacea in a bed or border. Uses Echinacea flowers make a great colorful addition to a fresh cut flower arrangement. Flowers can also be dried. It is beneficial in the garden for attracting bees and butterflies. Medicinal uses are highly publicized and widely known. Some of the benefits include immune system booster, antibiotic, antifungal and many more. To read more about echinacea's amazing medicinal properties, see Medicinal Herbs Online: Harvesting Flowers are gathered in full bloom and roots (used for medicinal purposes) can be lifted after the platns is four years old. Roots can be used fresh, dried, in a tincture, decoction or powder. Caution: high doses many cause nausea. For most people, it may be more practical to purchase commercial preparations for taking internally. Recommended Types The most common is 'E. purpurea', with big purple-lavender flowers and very showy. The white, 'E. white lustre', has high-coned centers and coarse foliage. And 'E. magnus' was the Perennial Plant Accociation's 1998 plant of the year, having large pink flowers and more horizontal petals. Mail Order Source (plants): Bluestone Perennials Online Source (seeds, plants, plugs, dried herb) Richters Herb Specialists Further Reading: Echinacea: Nature's Immune Enhancer by Steven Foster
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The copyright of the article Echinacea in Herb Gardening is owned by Laurel Morris. Permission to republish Echinacea in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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