Purple Coneflower - Echinacea Purpurea
Purple coneflower is an amazing bright purple flower that the bloom itself can range from three to six inches in size. It can reach heights up to two feet. It grows the best and will show itself in the summer. The purple coneflower looks just like a small cone sitting on top of a thick stem. The stem itself can grow as thick as two inches. The purple coneflower can tolerate the sun and drought like conditions when other plants cannot. This perennial can bring many different wildlife creatures into your yard such as hummingbirds, bees and dragonflies. All of this wildlife have one thing in common, they are looking for nectar! These perennials are native to the United States and can be seen growing from the east coast to the west coast. They are seen primarily scattered out in open fields, prairies or in one's yard. The stems are thick and strong, once the bloom is open one will see how strong the stem is because it will hold the large bloom up.
Purple Coneflower for sale online at Perennial Nursery.
The stems are straight and sit upright which makes them a great perennial that can be fresh cut and brought indoors to be displayed in a vase or container. The blooms have small light purple to dark purple flowers. Each bloom can have up to 15 small petals that are home to a purple/brown center. Sometimes this center can even look red or orange in nature.
Purple coneflower, scientifically known as Echinacea purpurea, is a popular and attractive perennial wildflower native to eastern North America. It is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and is well-known for its striking, daisy-like flowers with prominent, raised cones in the center. These flowers can range in color from pinkish-purple to lavender, and they provide nectar and pollen for pollinators, especially bees and butterflies.
How to plant and care for purple coneflowers in your garden?
Planting:
- Choose the right location: Select a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Purple coneflowers prefer full sun but can tolerate some light shade.
- Prepare the soil: Make sure the soil is properly drained, as these plants do not like sitting in waterlogged soil. Purple coneflowers are adaptable to various soil types.
- Planting method:
- You can plant purple coneflowers from seeds or as nursery-grown plants.
- If planting from seeds, sow them directly in the ground in the fall or early spring, barely covering them with soil. They will typically germinate in 2-3 weeks.
- If using nursery-grown plants, dig a hole slightly wider and as deep as the plant's root ball. Put the plant in the hole, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface. Fill the hole with soil and pat it down gently.
Care:
- Watering: Purple coneflowers are drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly during the first growing season to help them establish deep roots. After that, they typically do well with occasional deep watering.
- Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding. Pruning in late fall or early spring can help tidy up the plant.
- Fertilization: Purple coneflowers don't require heavy feeding. You can apply a slow-release fertilize in early spring, but be careful not to over-fertilize, as excessive nutrients can lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering.
- Pest and Disease Control: These plants are fairly resistant to pests and diseases, but you should still monitor them for common issues like aphids or powdery mildew and address any problems promptly.
- Division: Every few years, you can divide mature clumps of purple coneflowers to rejuvenate the plants and maintain their vigor. This is typically done in the early spring.
