![]() The name Echinacea is derived from the Greek word echinos, or hedgehog, in reference to the flowers’ large, brown, cone-shaped seedheads that resemble the prickly spines of a frustrated hedgehog. ![]() However, this genus of nine distinct native species found in the United States is also highly valued for its splendid summer coloration, attractiveness to wildlife, hardy nature, and ease of cultivation. In the 1700s, horses suffering from saddle sores were treated with an extract obtained from coneflower roots. Due to their reputation, coneflowers have been referred to by other names, such as snakeroot and black sampson. #Best time to move purple coneflower skin#Historically, coneflower potions have been used to treat such ailments as anthrax, blood poisoning, snakebites, skin infections, and the common cold. ” This amazing plant was our narrow-leaved purple coneflower, Echinacea angustifolia.Įchinacea are still often touted as medicinal in nature. This would make a great pollinator garden, easy care and beautiful.A little more than 200 years ago, William Clark wrote in his travel journal, “I collected a Plant the root of which is a Cure for the Bite of a mad dog & Snake which I shall Send. Very pretty massed with Black Eyed Susans or Coreopsis, Gayfeather, and Russian Sage, with some Little Bluestem in the background. Researchers at Mt Cuba noted that it was one of the best at attracting pollinators – butterflies love it too! You can cut a few stems, it does make a great cut flower, but leave a few flowers to develop the seeds for the birds, which are absolutely adorable as they perch on the flowerhead to munch away. They have published their results and the plants are available at select nurseries and garden centers – ask if your local garden center carries the Mt Cuba Top Performers, or the Mt Cuba Collection! These are plants proven to do well here! “Pica Bella” grows to about 2’, and is compact and covered with rosy purple flowers. Cuba up in Hockessin, has an excellent research and development program on plants best suited to the Mid Atlantic states. Of the cultivated varieties, one of our favorites is “Pica Bella”. ![]() ![]() The leaves are narrower, and the ray flowers droop down very gracefully. It blooms a couple weeks earlier than Purple Coneflower, and has a taproot, making it a little harder to move. The ray flowers (what look like the petals, see our article last year) are a pale purple, more of a pastel combining very nicely with for example, “Moonbeam” Coreopsis. We all know the Purple Coneflower, but do you know the Pale Purple Coneflower – Echinacea pallida? It get 2 to 3’ tall, needs sun to do well, and is tolerant of poor soils. There are a lot of different cultivars (cultivated varieties) available, as well as different species of coneflower. They do need good drainage, so make sure your area doesn’t stay wet all the time – moist is ok, wet is too much. ![]() Some varieties have large leavers, and can be subject to some leaf spot diseases, but those mostly cause aesthetic problems, they will rarely kill the plant. Once established, they are somewhat drought tolerant, Their stems are stiff, so they hold up well in a garden. #Best time to move purple coneflower full#Echinacea pallida – Pale Purple ConeflowerĬoneflowers need full sun (6+ hours a day) to flower well, and average to moist soil. ![]()
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