Echinacea

Botanical/Latin
   Echinacea

Pronunciation
   eck-in-ace-e-ah

Common Name
   Coneflower

Hardiness zone range
   3 - 9

General Comments
Magnificent, large, daisy-like flowers with a prominent central bristly cone, produced on strong, rigid stems in summer and early autumn.

They are acknowledged as being among the most reliable and rewarding of all perennials, and it is hard to imagine a garden that would not have a least a few sunny spaces filled with them. Long lasting and persistent bloomers, the handsome flowers are carried in abundance on strong sturdy stems that hold them well above the dark green leaves.

Uses
Absolutely terrific in beds and mixed borders, raised beds, sloping banks, wild flower meadows, cottage gardens; the list seems endless. It is one of those plants that seems to fit in and blend with every situation. They are truly impressive; when massed in bold plantings, the combined effect is stunning.

They are great for attracting butterflies and small birds. The large central cone turns black as the flowers mature and can be left on the plants to provide a food source for small birds.

They are excellent cut flowers and can be used either fresh or have the faded petals removed and the coppery brown central cone used as a dried flower.

Light Preference
Full sun to partial shade. They thrive best in sunny positions but will perform reasonably well in partial shade, especially in hot summer weather when a little bit of shade will help to retain good, vibrant color in the flowers.

Culture
Requiring only soils that are well drained, they are not difficult to grow. Their preference is for lighter soils, where their thick tap roots can reach deep into the soil. This helps them withstand drought conditions, particularly if a little organic matter is added at planting time.

They are seldom affected by pests and diseases, and require little maintenance except removing old flower stems to encourage continuation of flowering. They do not even need to be divided often, preferring to slowly build clumps that only need to be lifted and divided every seven or eight years.

Background
Echinacea is indigenous to the drier regions of N. America. The name comes from the Greek word ekhinos which means spiny hedgehog or sea urchin, referring to the spiny, central cone which is also is the origin for the common name.

Well known and highly regarded for their medicinal properties, the early settlers learned from the native Americans how to use preparations made from the thick black roots to cure all manner of ailments. Timothy Coffey in his book The History and Folklore of North American Wildflowers reports that "by 1921 medicines derived from Echinacea became the mostly widely sold of any American plant". A trip to the local herbal or health food shop confirms that these medicinal properties are still extensively used today.

About five species exist, of which Echinacea purpurea is regarded as being the most ornamental. It was collected around 1688 by an English religious missionary called John Bannister. He was a keen naturalist who studied the native flora and fauna. He sent seeds back to correspondents in England. Later in 1692, while on an excursion north of the falls on the James River, he met an untimely death under contradictory circumstances. It was reported that "he fell from rocks and perished"; however, other reports said that he was accidentally shot by one of his companions! The species proved popular, easy to grow, and gradually became firmly established in European gardens. Over the years, several cultivars that have improved ornamental merit have been selected in Germany, England, N. America, and Sweden.

Splendor Suggestions
Consider planting some in view of windows to encourage and enjoy watching butterflies and small birds. The flowers and seeds will ensure constant activity throughout the season. This can be fascinating for young children and anyone who is house-bound or recovering from illness.

Companion Plants
The opportunities to make exciting combinations are many and varied as they work well with almost anything that enjoys the same growing conditions. A few possibilities include Agastache `Blue Fortune', Artemisia `Powis Castle', the upright, arching habit of Hemerocallis (Daylilies) and Coreopsis (Tickseed).